Couple Completed 35 Nations in BYD Electric Crossover
Gloria and Fanyu Hu drove a BYD Atto 3 around the world since September 2023 to test electric vehicle performance.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Since September 2023, Gloria and Fanyu Hu have traversed 35 nations in their BYD Atto 3, a front-wheel-drive crossover equipped with a 60.48 kWh LFP Blade Battery. The ongoing expedition serves as a practical test of global charging infrastructure accessibility and battery reliability.
Why it matters
The journey highlights how EV adoption and long-distance travel remain heavily restricted by the global availability and speed of charging infrastructure. The couple has frequently navigated routes based entirely on the proximity of available charging stations.
The vehicle has endured temperatures from -15°C to +45°C, with charging outputs as low as 1.8 kW. In extreme instances, the 204 hp crossover saw its battery drop to 1% capacity, leaving just two kilometers of remaining range.
The players
Gloria and Fanyu Hu
The duo conducting a multi-year, global endurance test of electric vehicle range and charging capabilities.
BYD
A major manufacturer of electric vehicles and battery technology that produces the Atto 3 crossover used in this expedition.
The details
The Atto 3 relies on its 60.48 kWh battery, which requires careful management when charging infrastructure is sparse. When power is low, the drivers manually reduce vehicle speed to stretch the remaining energy. The team has dealt with equipment failure due to constant use of slow chargers and physical damage from road accidents, including the loss of a camera in Iraq.
Timeline
The round-the-world expedition began in September 2023.
The couple plans future travel through Russia, Poland, Spain, and across Africa.
The Home Front
This expedition provides a extreme-case view of charging limitations that reflect broader global trends in EV infrastructure readiness. It underscores how geography and charger density dictate vehicle utility far more than raw battery capacity.
For your own EV, always map charging stops in advance when traveling in unfamiliar regions, as relying on slow charging networks can significantly extend travel time. Monitor your vehicle’s battery health indicators closely during extreme seasonal temperature swings, which can temporarily reduce effective range.
The takeaway
The Hus journey proves that while modern electric vehicles are capable of long-distance travel, the success of the trip remains tethered to the availability of the electrical grid. Drivers should always keep a manual log of charging station locations when planning trips outside major urban hubs.
Further reading
For more on the current state of battery technology and range, visit our Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PravdaReport.
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