FORD'S NEW ELECTRIC CAR AND ADVENTURER LEXIE LIMITLESS SET A WORLD RECORD BY CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE GLOBE

After six months, Ford's Charge Around the Globe challenge is complete, with the all-new electric Ford Explorer - which arrives in the UK later this year starting from £46,000 - and Lexie Limitless setting a new world record.

The drive, which took half a year, covered six continents and 27 countries to display the globe-trotting capabilities of battery-powered cars.

We headed to the finish line in Nice to found out about the journey and the new Explorer.

Lexie's world record-setting circumnavigation in an EV

On the 26 March, in her prototype Ford Explorer SUV, 26-year-old Lexie Alford (Lexie Limitless on social media) became the first person to circumnavigate the globe in an electric vehicle (EV).

Lexie's journey was a reimagining of Aloha Wanderwell's - a truly pioneering early 20th century adventurer. 

Aloha was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe in a car, and she did it in a Ford Model T.

Charge Around the Globe brought 'the world's ultimate test drive' of today together with an immense road trip of history. And it celebrated the Ford Explorer SUV going on sale – with pricing and specs now released.

The campaign saw over 30,000km (approx 18,640 miles) driven, 27 countries covered, and six continents crossed. 

Journeying on electric power alone, it put electric charging infrastructure - or lack thereof - to the test on a worldwide stage.

Within RecordSetter parameters (this was the world record-setting title of choice), the route was picked with several factors in mind: the availability of chargers; safety concerns; taking an EV to landscapes and communities with pioneering spirit; and crucially visiting parts of the world Aloha went on her initial expedition.

This is the first world record for the electric Ford Explorer but the second for Lexie.  

At the tender ago of 21, she broke the world record for the youngest person to visit ever country in the world solo.

When Ford came calling, it was the natural next adventurous step for Lexie: '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 told This is Money.

'There's something very cool about being able to see countries from the ground level. On this trip, I got to go to so many countries that it's unusual to drive through. 

'It's a whole different perspective of these places when you're seeing them from the ground, rather than just flying over.'

A display of EV capabilities

For Ford, the challenge was the perfect way to demonstrate the versatility and capability of its new EV - in amongst a homecoming convoy of Ford's greatest vehicles.

'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,' said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e Europe.

Lexie's pre-production vehicle used a variety of charging solutions from 2.2kW AC wall outlets (a standard electricity wall socket) to DC fast chargers (public chargers you'll see at supermarkets or car parks) and portable battery packs.

These challenges have been documented across YouTube and social media by both Ford and Lexie, with a documentary set to be released in the not-too-distant future.

With the route starting and ending in Nice, the Explorer went across Europe (France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia), Asia (India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia), Australia, Africa (South Africa and Zimbabwe), South America (Chile, Argentina) and North America (USA). 

Lexie told us that the hardest country to charge in was Zimbabwe.

She explained: 'There were no chargers […] and they've not adopted EVs yet. And with load shedding on top of it, and widespread electricity outages, it definitely made it really tricky.

'I ended up doing a lot of domestic charging, which would take up to 30 or 40 hours to charge. So, it definitely felt like I was crawling through the country at that point.'

Many of the charging problems experienced – such as using solar panels in the middle of the Chile – aren't everyday issues most people in populated countries will face in EVs, certainly not the UK, where first deliveries are of Explorer are due to arrive in September. 

The drive aimed to help quell range anxiety and show the extent to the world's charging infrastructure in countries where EV adoption is high on the agenda.

'There's been a lot of places that did surprise me with how much infrastructure was there', Lexie said. 

'Places like Bhutan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam – there are so many chargers around there.'

For Lexie, the biggest takeaway from her cross-continent charging experience is planning.

'With EVs you do have to just plan in advance where you want to go and where the next charger is going to be. But there's always a solution.

'If I could make it around the whole world in an EV, you could definitely make it pretty far in Europe'.

Aloha Wanderwell – Ford Model T - the first woman to drive around the world in a car

Ford's history started in 1903. In 1908 the Model T was introduced to the world. 

Some 14 years later, a 16-year-old Canadian teenager called Aloha Wanderwell answered an advert for 'Brains, Beauty and Breeches - World Tour Offer For Lucky Young Woman… Wanted to join an expedition!'

Accounts vary of the exact mileage and countries travelled, but across a seven-year period, Aloha travelled 75,000 across 43 countries, undertaken during a period when the world had huge danger – across battlefields, through Communism, food riots and fascists – as well as grueling geographical terrain.

Adapting was the name of the game; kerosene replaced gasoline, crushed bananas replaced grease. The Model T was chosen because of its extensive dealer network, which Aloha referred to as 'the only global spare parts service'.

During the expedition, Aloha went on to become videographer, editor, photographer, driver, salesperson, mechanic, interpreter (to name a few), and to marry Captain Wanderwell - the expedition's leader who originally placed the advert.

Upon completion of her around-the-world challenge, Aloha and her husband became famous as internationally acclaimed explorers after the release of their documentary With Car And Camera Around the World. Aloha was the shining star of the 'Wanderwell Expedition'.

She spent the rest of her life exploring and filmmaking, gaining the nickname 'the female Indiana Jones'.  

Stories like Aloha's are a goldmine to have in your archives, so no wonder the PR budget was clearly go big or go home. 

And Ford are known for bold campaigns - think Very Gay Raptor or Park the Car - and this was a real full circle moment for the company. 

Ford supported Aloha and set a record. Now they've worked with Lexie to set another world automotive first at another junction of car history - the change to electric driving. 

It was particularly important to Ford and Lexie to do Aloha justice, she told us.

'Aloha was very before her time. What she did and what she contributed to the world of exploration was definitely something to aspire to.

'A hundred years ago, the world was a very different place, especially for women. So it makes what she's done even more incredible. And it's been an honour to do this journey that was so inspired by her.'

World record-setting wheels - the Ford Explorer 

The moment Lexi crossed the finish line order books opened and the Ford Explorer officially went on sale.

The Explorer is said to be the 'shining star' of Ford's new electric line-up according to Amko Leenarts, Design Director of Ford Europe.

Costing from £45,875 in the UK, you can choose between rear and all-wheel-drive versions (Lexie's was all-wheel-drive), with the extended-range model available to order now.

The Extended Range RWD 77kWh Explorer manages 374 miles on a single charge and can top up 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. Max charging speed is 135kW.

An AWD 79kWh battery option is also available, which has 329 miles of range and max charging of 185kW when hooked up to an ultra-rapid charger. The AWD Explorer can tow up to 1,200kg too which is handy. 

And it hits 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds - so it's not slow for a big SUV.

A single-motor standard-range 52kWh rear-wheel-drive model is following late this year, and is set to be the cheapest - Ford's currently predicting £39,875.

Designed 'to be a friendly face that everyone can related to', Amko and his design team are clear that The Explorer demonstrates Ford's streamlined EV catalogue will have the 'American can do bold attitude'. 

'Every car will now have stories only Ford can tell', Amko says, making it clear that Ford will not be going the direction of some brands where every EV just looks the same. 

Our Passenger ride in the Explorer - first thoughts

Official test drives of Explorer are coming later in the year, but we managed to hop into one for a passenger ride to get a first feel for the car.

The higher ride position gives great visibility, and the Explorer managed the hilly roads around Nice with low cabin noise and quiet comfort. Yet to be tested at great speed, but it's promising so far. 

As a passenger, it was superbly comfortable. 

The interior is made to feel like two shapes embracing you, and you really benefit from this.

The cabin is light, airy and open and, of course, digital.

Riding shotgun, the main draw is often the infotainment system and the Explorer comes with a 14.6-inch central touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay of course) as standard. 

The screen is an industry first too - it's a moveable display that means you can position to share content in to others inside - including one that's less distracting for the driver. 

But it's what's behind the screen that's most important - a safe locker where you can hide your belongings out of sight. Just slide the screen back down and your valuables are tucked away - and locked. 

There's a 'MegaConsole' storage space unit for non-valuables too with 17 litres of space. You can easily shove a large handbag, a laptop or multiple 1.5-litre bottles of water (useful if you're setting a world record across driving across deserts). 

This additional cubby space in the cabin also helps make up for the slightly disappointing 450-litre boot capacity, which is comparable with a BMW 3 Series saloon. 

Other standard perks include a heated steering wheel and front seats (Lexie's favourite feature), a massaging driver's seat and wireless charging.

Driving review awaits, but for now the Explorer has had a pre-launch that's hard to beat.