GRAND TOUR
I just set world record as first person to drive around the world in an electric car – but one country was a nightmare
Lexie had already set a world record
AN INTREPID motorist has become the first to drive around the world in an electric vehicle.
The record-breaking stunt saw Lexie Alford, 26, visit all six continents in as many months in the new electric Ford Explorer.
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The challenge, Ford's Charge Around the Globe, was set to demonstrate the true capability of EVs.
Lexie - aka Lexie Limitless - had already broken the record for the youngest person to travel across each of the world's 196 sovereign nations at the age of 21.
She was following in the footsteps of Aloha Wanderwell, a woman who previously dared the journey in the early 1900s in her Ford Model T.
The latest Ford challenge, also known as 'the world's ultimate test-drive' was in honour of the motor hitting the market.
Lexie told This is Money: "I've always loved a good road trip - anything that can get you to unique places is something I've always felt really passionate about."
She hit the road in her prototype SUV in September last year, driving across 27 countries.
Driving through Zimbabwe in particular was a complete nightmare, she said.
"There were no chargers and they've not adopted EVs yet," she explained.
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"And with load shedding on top of it, and widespread electricity outages, it definitely made it really tricky."
The record-breaking motorist said she relied on domestic charging - a lengthy process that can take up to 40 hours.
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Lexie also encountered issues in South America, including waiting on solar powered chargers in Chile.
Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e Europe, said: "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."
But the expedition ran smoother than the motorhead could have predicted.
"There's been a lot of places that did surprise me with how much infrastructure was there," Lexie said.
She gave popular tourist destinations including Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia a stellar review for their charger availability.
The ultimate takeaway was "plan in advance" when it came to venturing around the world without petrol or diesel.
ALOHA WANDERWELL
Aloha became the first woman to drive around world in 1908 aged just 16.
It is estimated the Canadian teenager traversed 43 counties and racked up 75,000 miles on the clock.
She became known as the 'female Indiana Jones' for her pioneering spirit, which continued her whole life.
Lexie added: "It's been an honour to do this journey that was so inspired by her."
'SHINING STAR'
The new all-electric Ford Explorer is now on sale - after hitting the market as Lexie completed the challenge in Nice, France.
It has been dubbed the "shining star" in the manufacturer's line up and retails from £45,875 depending on which spec buyer opt for.
Drivers can travel an impressive 374miles with full charge in the Extended Range RWD 77kWh Explorer.
It can also shoot from 10 to 80 per cent in just 28 minutes and reaches 62mph in 5.3 seconds.
A cheaper model is expected to come out later this year for £39,875.
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Inside, there's a 'MegaConsole' storage unit that boasts a whopping 17 litres of space.
And the EV is kitted out with all the latest interface software and gadgets.
Lexie's route
Europe
- France
- Italy
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Greece
- Turkey
- Georgia
Asia
- India
- Bhutan
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Thailand
- Malaysia
Australia
Africa
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
South America
- Chile
- Argentina
North America
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