What’s it like to drive a newly minted Volkswagen electric SUV across the United States in a 35,000-mile road trip?
Long-distance driver Rainer Zietlow, who stopped at Volkswagen Chattanooga on Friday, said the ID.4 SUV has done “super.” But there have been a couple of anxious moments out West when it came to keeping a charge in the vehicle’s batteries, he said.
More recharging stations are needed from Denver traveling west, he said, especially singling out the Casper, Wyoming, area.
Zietlow is visiting more than 600 Volkswagen dealerships in 48 states, and so far he has driven more than 32,204 miles and crossed 46 states. Volkswagen of America, Volkswagen Credit Inc. and Electrify America, a VW subsidiary that installs charging stations, teamed up Zietlow for the challenge.
Zietlow, who has undertaken 17 long-distance projects worldwide since 2005 in Volkswagen vehicles and holds three Guinness world records, said he wanted to stop by the Chattanooga plant that will start assembly of the ID.4 next year.