ID. Buzz circles the world: 99,767 km without a problem

Rainer Zietlow traveled to 92 countries in 445 days using a VW ID. Buzz, earning him a Guinness World Record. After covering nearly 100,000 kilometers without any breakdowns, TÜV Nord reported that the battery still has 95.75 percent SOH.

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After 445 days, long-distance traveler Rainer Zietlow returned to Hannover in a Volkswagen ID. Buzz with a long wheelbase. During his journey across 92 countries and six continents, he covered 99,767 kilometers purely on electric power. At IAA Transportation 2026, he received a certificate from Guinness World Records in the category “Most countries visited during a continuous journey in a fully electric vehicle.” It was presented to him by Lena Kuhlmann, a representative of the organization.

The tour began on July 1, 2025, at the Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge customer center in Hannover, where the ID. Buzz is also manufactured, and ended on September 14, 2026, at the city’s exhibition grounds. During its journey, the bus underwent over 300 charging sessions and was transported 16 times across continents by container ship. This results in an average daily distance of around 225 kilometers, including time spent on ships and at exhibition sites.

Production vehicle with 86 kWh battery

According to Volkswagen, it was a production ID. Buzz Pro with a long wheelbase in its standard configuration, equipped with standard Giti Tire tires. The battery has a usable capacity of 86 kWh. The range according to WLTP standards is approximately 483 to 498 kilometers depending on the configuration.

The ID. Buzz can charge using DC fast chargers at up to 200 kW. The manufacturer claims a charging process from 10% to 80% takes less than 30 minutes. The announcement does not provide information on engine power.

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No breakdowns, battery with 95.75% SOH

Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge emphasizes that the ID. Buzz completed the entire journey without any technical failures. TÜV Nord inspected the vehicle before and after the trip and rated the high-voltage battery’s health status at 95.75 percent upon return. With nearly 100,000 kilometers driven under varying weather conditions, this figure indicates relatively low wear and tear—though it is based on a single measurement of one particular vehicle.

Zietlow, who has been driving only projects involving Volkswagen Group vehicles since 2005, sees advantages in long-distance travel over internal combustion engines. In many regions, diesel is contaminated with sulfur or water, and there are no need for oil changes or concerns about engine overheating. In exchange, one must thoroughly investigate charging options along the route in advance. According to the driver from Mannheim, this is his ninth Guinness World Record with vehicles from the group, and with a duration of just over one and a half years, it is the longest project in his career—excluding the roughly six months of planning.

Charging conditions vary greatly around the world

While charging, Zietlow encountered significant regional differences. In parts of Africa, such as Zambia and Tanzania, he found no public charging stations. There, he charged under supervision directly at substations in the national power grid. In contrast, he describes South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda as well-developed in terms of charging infrastructure. In Rwanda, at an airport at around 2,000 meters altitude, he even encountered a fleet of ID. Buzz vehicles used as shuttle taxis.

The record-breaking driver sees notable progress in Saudi Arabia, where the charging network has almost reached German standards within three years. Brazil and Chile have also expanded their infrastructure significantly, while he considers China to be in its own league, where electric mobility is already commonplace. For the future, Zietlow is betting on solid-state batteries and much higher charging speeds, which could further simplify long-distance travel by electric car.

Record-breaking vehicle on display at IAA

Those who want to see the world record bus in person can do so until the end of IAA Transportation on September 20, 2026. The ID. Buzz is located in the open area at booth S51 of Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, in front of Hall 12 at the Hannover exhibition site.

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