When the Guinness Book of Records (GWR) came out in 1955, the idea was to compile facts and figures to finally settle the often endless disputes in Britain's many pubs.
It quickly became an annual compilation of world records large and small, including last year the world's largest grilled cheese sandwich.
This year things got a little more serious for Hyundai: With the 2024 GWR theme being the “Blue Planet” and the focus on nature, the South Korean automaker decided to set a new world record for the greatest height difference experienced by a human electric vehicle (EV).
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To achieve this record in December of this year, Hyundai had an Ioniq 5 EV descend 19,035 feet during a more than 3,000-mile journey across peninsular India. Last year, the record was set by China's Changan Nevo A07 EV, which experienced an elevation gain of 18,766 feet during its nearly 1,500-mile journey through Tibet.
The Ioniq 5's journey began in the Himalayas at the highest navigable point in India at Umling La in Leh Ladakh, 19,025 feet above sea level. The trip ended in Kuttanad, Kerala, which is 9.8 feet below sea level.
For two weeks, the Hyundai EV drove through rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions, including freezing temperatures and steep mountain passes as well as wet coastal regions.
“This achievement is a testament to Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological excellence and sustainability,” Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Unsoo Kim said in a statement. “Ioniq 5’s performance in such extreme conditions reflects its technical prowess and durability.”
The Ioniq 5 is equipped with a 72.6 kWh battery and offers a range of over 300 miles.
The record was set just as deliveries of the Ioniq 5 began in the US in 2025. The new model will be the first to feature a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. With a Tesla SuperCharger, the base model Ioniq 5 can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes.
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