Most drivers expect their electric cars to run out of juice somewhere close to the official range.
But a brand-new Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor has just proven that sometimes, expectations are there to be broken.
This luxury SUV travelled a staggering 581.3 miles on a single charge – that’s 143 miles further than its official range – and the feat has now been confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records.
From Norwich to History-Making Range
The record-breaking journey took place on UK roads and lasted an epic 22 hours and 57 minutes.
Starting in Norwich, the Polestar 3 cruised through mostly flat A and B roads, as well as stretches of dual carriageway, all in a mix of weather conditions, including rain.
Far from draining the battery quickly, the conditions proved that electric cars can keep going in less-than-perfect weather.
Professional efficiency drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker shared the wheel, swapping every three hours to stay sharp.
In the end, they achieved an impressive efficiency of 19.5kWh per 100 miles.
Even after hitting its official WLTP figure of 438 miles, the SUV still had 20 per cent battery left – and when the dashboard hit 0 per cent, it managed another eight miles before finally reaching a charger.
A Test Without Tricks or Modifications
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that the Polestar 3 was completely standard – no performance tweaks, no extra tech, just factory specs.
It rolled on regular 20-inch wheels with Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres.
The £69,910 luxury SUV was under the watchful eye of Guinness World Records judge Paulina Sapinska, with Webfleet providing video proof, GPS tracking, odometer checks, and battery level data.
The AA followed along to make sure help was on hand if the car stopped far from a charger.
Polestar’s Big Statement in the EV Market
Matt Galvin, Polestar UK’s managing director, called the drive a testament to how far electric vehicle battery technology has come.
“It goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years,” he said, noting that the car went far beyond the 400-plus miles from London to Edinburgh.
This record is a boost for Polestar, which has grown from a single-car lineup to a two-car brand.
The Polestar 3 now stands as a serious rival to the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX, and Porsche Macan Electric – especially when it comes to range.
Other Electric Cars That Can Make the Long Haul
Interestingly, the Polestar 3’s official 438-mile range only puts it fourth in the rankings for the longest-range EVs currently available.
Ahead of it are three other heavy hitters:
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Audi A6 e-tron – With a range of 463 miles and a price from £70,900, this executive saloon can add 200 miles in just 10 minutes using ultra-rapid charging.
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Mercedes EQS – A luxurious electric S-Class boasting a 481-mile range. It costs from £112,610 and can charge to 80 per cent in just over half an hour despite having a massive 108.4kWh battery.
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Mercedes CLA EV – The surprise leader with 484 miles on a single charge. It’s much more affordable than the EQS, starting at £45,615, and can hit 62mph in 6.7 seconds while charging from 10 to 80 per cent in just 22 minutes.
What This Means for EV Drivers
Long road trips in electric vehicles are no longer the stuff of cautious planning and charger anxiety.
Records like this show just how much EV technology has evolved in only a few years – and for many drivers, that means they can travel from one end of the country to the other without worrying about running out of power.