World record for VW ID. Buzz: Electric round-the-world trip without a single breakdown

Image: VW

Rainer Zietlow, a specialist in long-distance travel, completed a round-the-world journey of 99,767 kilometers using a fully electric VW ID. Buzz. The trip lasted 445 days and covered 92 countries across six continents. He was awarded an official Guinness World Record for visiting the most countries during a continuous journey with a battery-electric vehicle.

Zietlow set off on July 1, 2025, from the Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (VWN) customer center in Hannover. He reached his destination on September 14, 2026, at the IAA Transportation event in Hannover. During the journey, the ID. Buzz underwent more than 300 charging cycles and was transported by container ship 16 times.

The ID. Buzz Pro with a long wheelbase used was said to be in its original condition and equipped with standard Giti-Tire tires. No technical issues arose throughout the entire journey. Upon return, TÜV Nord assessed the high-voltage battery to be in good condition at 95.75 percent.

Zietlow described the trip as his biggest project in 20 years and also his longest to date. “I’m particularly proud that we managed to complete such a long distance without any technical problems,” he said after returning. It was his ninth Guinness World Record with vehicles from VW and VWN.

Zietlow experienced the charging infrastructure very differently depending on the region. In Zambia and Tanzania, there were practically no electric charging stations, so he had to charge under supervision at national substations. In contrast, South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda already had well-functioning systems. Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Chile also made progress in charging infrastructure, while Zietlow described electric mobility in China as being commonplace.

In his summary, Zietlow once again emphasized the vehicle’s trouble-free operation. “I never encountered any technical problems. That’s the key factor for me,” he said about the ID. Buzz.

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About the author

Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.

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