Electrifying achievement sets new Guinness World Record title

Webfleet-sponsored drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, supported by co-pilot Richard Parker of Webfleet and Carl Saville, in a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, fitted with Bridgestone tyres. Pictures: generatemedia.co.uk

Webfleet-sponsored drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, supported by co-pilot Richard Parker of Webfleet and Carl Saville, in a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, fitted with Bridgestone tyres. Pictures: generatemedia.co.uk

Published Aug 10, 2024

Share

Webfleet , Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, has broken the Guinness World Records title for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge of 916.74 km.

The previous record of 907.62 km was set in Hangzhou, China. The new benchmark in electric vehicle (EV) performance was achieved by Webfleet-sponsored drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, supported by co-pilot Richard Parker of Webfleet, in a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, fitted with Bridgestone tyres.

The record attempt was meticulously documented with independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS, and battery level data from Webfleet. Equipped with a 91kWh battery and boasting a WLTP range of 600.28 km, the Mach-E Premium Extended Range SUV RWD Auto, with 18” wheels – selected for its advanced battery technology and driver comfort – surpassed expectations, averaging 10.05 km per kilowatt hour (kWh) on England's public roads throughout Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Cambridgeshire.

The drive, completed over 24 hours, included a mix of urban and rural roads to emulate real-world driving conditions. Bridgestone tyres were seen as a critical component in the world record attempt, offering outstanding mileage and low rolling resistance.

“This record is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this endeavour,” said Beverley Wise, Webfleet UKI Regional Director for Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

“It represents a significant milestone in the electrification of road transport and demonstrates the potential of electric vehicles when supported by innovative Bridgestone tyre design and advanced fleet management technology. Breaking this record has been an exhilarating journey and a powerful demonstration of what electric vehicles can achieve. It is incredible to see how far we have come with EV technology and efficiency. We hope this inspires more people to consider electric vehicles for their everyday travel,” remarked Booker.

Clarke added: “Driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E for such a distance on a single charge was an extraordinary experience. The vehicle's efficiency and the support from Webfleet’s technology made this possible.”

Clarke and Booker both hold previous records for fuel economy and energy consumption in electric vehicles. They have now amassed five and two driving-related Guinness World Records titles, respectively. The AA in the UK provided official adjudication and its leading EV support services for the record attempt.

“We are delighted to have supported this incredible achievement with our expert patrols and backup team. The drivers, together with Ford Mustang Mach-E, Bridgestone and Webfleet, have all used their expertise to prove that EVs can go much further than people think. Such endeavours are important to show that electric vehicles can be a major part of the future transport mix,” said Edmund King OBE, AA president.

Booker, 46, from Swansea, is a passionate advocate for electric motoring having been an EV driver since 2015. He is now the holder of five Guinness World Records titles for ultra-efficient EV driving. In 2021 he famously drove a Ford Mustang Mach-E with co-drivers Paul Clifton and Fergal McGrath, from John O'Groats to Land’s End, setting a new Guinness World Records title for the lowest energy consumption driving in an electric car. More recently, with co-drivers Sam Clarke and Fergal McGrath, he achieved the Guinness World Records title in 2023 for the longest distance ever driven in an electric van on a single charge – 500.8 km.

Clarke, 43, from Cheltenham, is the Chief Vehicle Officer for GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy. He is a life-long entrepreneur, EV evangelist, industry advisor and EV driver for more than 20 years. In addition to this latest Guinness World Records title, alongside his co-drivers, he still holds the Guinness World Records title, set by Webfleet, for the longest distance ever driven in an electric van on a single charge: 500.8 km.

This year he was named the #1 Motor Transport Decarbonisation Power Player and was voted #14 in the greenfleet.net top 100 most influential people in the decarbonisation of fleet transport. Clarke is currently leading one of the government’s four flagship ZEHID programmes, GRIDSERVE’s Electric Freightway.