Hannover – September 24, 2026 -- Giti Tire's GitiSynergyH2 tyres carried a Volkswagen ID.Buzz across 99,800km and through 92 countries, setting a new world record for the longest continuous global tour by a battery-powered electric vehicle.
Rainer Zietlow completes 16-month, 92-country EV expedition on Giti tyres
Professional globetrotter Rainer Zietlow drove the record route in partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, departing Hannover on July 1, 2025 and crossing Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East before finishing at IAA Transportation in Hannover on September 14, 2026, where he received an official world-record certificate.
Two tyre sets logged 99,800km with over half their tread depth intact
Giti swapped two sets of GitiSynergyH2 tyres at the halfway mark to keep the itinerary on schedule. Final inspection showed the tyres retained more than 50% of their tread depth after the full distance. The ID.Buzz ran 235/60 R18 tyres on the front axle and 255/55 R18 on the rear, under an OE agreement with VWCV that began in September 2023.
AA-rated compound delivered roughly 400km per charge, zero aquaplaning in heavy rain
The AA European label-rated tyres use a new tread compound designed to cut rolling resistance without sacrificing wet and dry braking or handling. Zietlow reported approximately 400 kilometers of range between charges and no aquaplaning during severe rainfall encountered in Southeast Asia.
"Having driven almost 100,000kms I have no hesitation in saying the GitiSynergyH2 tyres deliver a premium quality driving experience,