Couple Completed Global Trek in BYD Atto 3

Gloria and Fanyu Hu have traversed 35 nations in their front-wheel-drive electric crossover since September 2023.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Bold vector editorial illustration of an electric crossover driving on a winding mountain road, representing global electric vehicle travel.
Gloria and Fanyu Hu have successfully concluded a global expedition spanning 35 nations in their BYD Atto 3 electric vehicle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Gloria and Fanyu Hu began a round-the-world expedition in September 2023, driving a BYD Atto 3 across 35 countries. Their journey has tested the limits of current electric vehicle infrastructure through extreme climates and varying terrain.

Why it matters

The journey highlights the real-world operational challenges of electric vehicle travel in regions with limited charging accessibility. By forcing the pair to manage range as low as two kilometers, the trip exposes critical infrastructure gaps for global EV adoption.

The BYD Atto 3 is powered by a 60.48 kWh LFP Blade Battery and a 204 hp motor. During the trek, the couple faced environmental extremes ranging from -15°C to +45°C.

The players

Gloria Hu

She is one of the two travelers conducting the global expedition in an electric vehicle.

Fanyu Hu

He is the co-driver alongside Gloria Hu during their international traverse of 35 countries.

BYD

This Chinese manufacturing company is the producer of the Atto 3 electric vehicle used in the expedition.

The details

The couple utilizes speed reduction techniques to conserve energy when charging stations are sparse, a necessity driven by the limitations of local infrastructure. Along the way, the vehicle has faced technical hurdles, including a failed charging cable and a near-total battery depletion to 1% capacity.

Timeline

  1. The expedition began in September 2023.

  2. Future transit is planned through Russia, Poland, Spain, and Africa.

Roadmap

This expedition illustrates the significant gap between urban EV convenience and the reality of long-distance travel in developing infrastructure markets. It positions Chinese-manufactured EVs as capable of transcontinental travel, provided drivers can navigate the current global scarcity of reliable charging networks.

Drivers considering long-distance electric travel should be prepared for significant planning around charging station availability. The expedition proves that while current models like the Atto 3 can manage diverse terrain, range anxiety and equipment failure remain primary considerations for potential buyers.

The takeaway

The expedition demonstrates that electric vehicles are technically capable of global travel when managed with extreme range conservation. However, the reliance on inconsistent charging infrastructure remains a major bottleneck for the average electric car owner.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest developments in the industry at /Electric Vehicles.

Source note: This article includes information reported by PravdaReport.

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Is now a good time to rely on an electric vehicle for long-distance travel?