Polestar 3 sets World Record for longest electric SUV journey on single charge

Source (All Images) | Polestar

Polestar’s (Gothenburg, Sweden) large electric SUV, the Polestar 3, has broken the Guinness World Record for longest journey traveled by an electric SUV on a single charge. Achieving 935.44 kilometers (581.3 miles), the recently launched long-range single-motor variant was pushed to its limits.

The attempt took 22 hours and 57 minutes to complete in mixed weather conditions including rain. The Polestar 3 achieved an efficiency of 12.1 kilowatt-hours/100 kilometers. Professional efficiency drivers, Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker, switched every 3 hours to maintain alertness. The Polestar 3 achieved its WLTP figure of 706 kilometers with 20% of its battery capacity still available and delivered an extra 12.8 kilometers after showing 0% battery — but the Polestar 3 reached a charger before ultimately stopping.

“This official Guinness World Record for range is another proof point that Polestar 3 is setting new standards,” says Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We will continue to push the boundaries of technology and electric performance.”

“While the drivers pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years,” says Matt Galvin, Polestar UK managing director. “For a large premium SUV to go way beyond a London-to-Edinburgh distance is truly impressive and with this, the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’  has been very much consigned to the history books.”

The production-standard SUV was adjudicated by Guinness World Records judge, Paulina Sapinska, with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings and battery level data. The car received zero modifications for the attempt and was on standard 20-inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tires. The attempt was supported by the AA.

Polestar 3 features natural fiber composites

Polestar and Bcomp worked together to develop the Polestar Signature Weave material used in the seat shells of the Polestar 3. A blend of flax fiber textile, natural fiber composite and Bcomp powerRibs, it reduces plastic usage and weight. See “Polestar and Bcomp: The making of our signature interior weave.”

Polestar 3’s use of natural fiber composites featuring materials from Bcomp (Fribourg, Switzerland) was highlighted on Polestar Day 2023. “We understood the huge potential of this material and, finally, after years of development together with our suppliers — and Bcomp — we’ve found the key to applying it in high-volume production,” says Maximilian Missoni, Polestar head of design. “Our own signature weave brings a luxurious and technical finish to this natural fiber composite, which means it can now be used as a functional and visual material.” 

“Taking the step into volume production means we have now unlocked the potential for more natural fiber composites in our cars,” Missoni continues. “It leads to less than half of the fossil-based content compared to traditional premium solutions used in automotive interiors, and it reduces the CO2 emissions of these components by more than 50%.”

Polestar is the Swedish electric performance car brand. It has three models in its line-up: Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. Planned models include the Polestar 5 four-door GT (to be introduced in 2025), the Polestar 6 roadster and the Polestar 7 compact SUV. With its vehicles currently manufactured on two continents, North America and Asia, Polestar plans to diversify its manufacturing footprint further, with production of Polestar 7 planned in Europe.