German traveler Rainer Zietlow arrived in Bali after covering 35,000 km across 48 countries in a Volkswagen electric vehicle. The stop at the special economic zone Kura Kura Bali is part of the Volkswagen ID Buzz World Tour expedition, whose goal is to set a record for the number of countries visited in an electric vehicle.
The route started on July 1, 2025, in Hanover, and is planned to finish in August 2026. By that time, Zietlow expects to drive around 80,000 km and visit 75 countries. "This is the 48th country on my route. I have already driven 35,000 kilometers from Europe to Asia. I want to show that an electric vehicle is reliable under any conditions — from deserts to mountains," he says.
The main difficulty was the incompatibility of charging standards. "In some places, we had to use adapters or slightly modify the equipment. Finding a suitable station sometimes took hours," says the traveler. In Bali, narrow roads and left-hand traffic were added challenges: "Overtaking trucks is not easy with the steering wheel on the left. However, the local drivers are very friendly, and everything went smoothly," he recalls the journey from Gilimanuk to Denpasar.
Chairman of the Kura Kura Bali board, Tantowi Yahya, welcomed the team, noting that the expedition's goal aligns with Kura Kura Bali's approach to sustainable development. During the visit, Zietlow checked out local green projects: bamboo pavilions, a 30-hectare mangrove area, and a sea turtle incubation center. "I see that the future of sustainable development is already here: it’s not just about technology but also about a lifestyle based on respect for nature," he said.
The route will next go through Australia, Africa, and America. "This journey is not only for the record. It shows that transportation can be cleaner and more sustainable," Zietlow concluded.
Sources: nusabali, idbuzzworldtour
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