Explorer by Name, Explorer by Nature: New EV Laps the Globe
A Ford Explorer has just become the first EV to circumnavigate the planet after completing a 30,000-km drive through 27 countries.
Driven by travel influencer Lexie Alford (@LexieLimitless) the car crossed the finish line in Nice, France seven months after departing. During the six-continent-crossing drive there were many challenges, including power outages in Africa and a total lack of charging infrastructure in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The Explorer lived up to its name by conquering mountain passes, unmade roads and sub-zero conditions along the way.
“On this epic adventure, I met incredible people from many corners of the world and experienced 27 beautiful countries while behind the wheel,” says Lexie. “But this journey came with a unique set of challenges. It has been the honour of a lifetime to be trusted by Ford to circumnavigate the globe in the electric Explorer, which has been like home for the last six months. I had the goal of pushing the limits of what’s possible to do in an EV and I’m proud to say I have!”
The Explorer’s range of up to 374 miles certainly helped on this record-breaking road trip while its twin electric motors and all-wheel drive will have made navigating dirt roads a breeze. In ideal conditions Ford says that a 10-80 per cent charge of its 79 kWh lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt batteries can be achieved in 26 minutes, although for much of the trip Lexie had to rely on wall outlets and even a portable battery pack.
“Lexie’s journey has been the ultimate test drive for our new Ford Explorer, taking on every kind of weather and road condition, and dealing with just about every charging scenario,” adds Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e Europe. “It embodies the true ‘can do’ spirit of this company, seizing this great opportunity to not only test ourselves but also the world’s charging infrastructure. Today’s crossing of the finish line proves just what you can do in the new all-electric Ford Explorer, and we’re delighted that customers will soon be able to find out for themselves.”
With other electric vehicles recently crossing Africa and travelling pole to pole, here’s more proof that electricity can power even the most epic drives.
In 1924 André Citroën set off from Paris to cross the entire African continent. Now rally driver Eric Vigouroux is set to celebrate the centenary of this epic drive with Citroen’s smallest EVs.