This YouTuber Became the First Person to Drive Around the World in an EV

How ‘Charge Around The Globe’ Challenged Lexie

Alford documented the experience via a three-part YouTube series dubbed “Charge Around The Globe.” The series, free to watch and sponsored by Ford, doesn’t just follow her around the planet. It literally is her filming the ups, downs, and arounds driving around the globe in an all-electric Ford Explorer.

It wasn’t Alford’s first record-breaking jaunt. Prior to 21 years old she became the youngest person to visit all 196 countries around the world, a process documented through extensive photography and on her blog.

“This journey was about pushing the limits of EV travel, embracing the same challenges of forging a new path, and finding out what’s possible,” Alford says. “Along the way, I remembered Aloha’s memoir and films, simply in awe of how much the world has changed in the past century yet how deeply I related to her perspective as a female traveler. Her pioneering, adventurous spirit guided me throughout the journey, reminding me of the importance of breaking barriers and inspiring others to push their limits.”

Alford set out from Nice, France, the same location as Wanderwell departed from, to attempt to drive the planet in 90 days. En route she – including super-slow chargers that couldn’t complete a charge to 80 percent or more even in a few hours.

Some guidelines imposed by Record Setter to validate her journey:

• She had to travel at least 29,000 kilometers (18,019 miles)
• She had to travel in one direction (west to east)
• She must at least have traveled across five continents

Hurdles faced en route included, of course, varied charging infrastructure even in more developed countries, and how long it often took to charge. She had a visa issue getting the car across the Turkish border from Greece and had to ship the vehicle on two separate ferries rather than simply drive across the border. Alford also dealt with minor collisions, illness, and never-ending language barriers. But the episodes showcase the most beautiful aspect of international travel – the humanity that binds us all together. She often found people willing to help her, take her in, or offer directions to where she needed to be.

Alford had never driven an electric vehicle before. She learned quickly that charging experiences vary based on location – she needed a variety of apps and experienced both Level 2 and Level 3 charging speeds.

“During my circumnavigation of the globe by EV, I definitely found that ‘range anxiety’ is still a relevant term, but it’s evolving as the technology and infrastructure improve,” Alford says. “One of the key factors that stood out was how much planning and adaptability are required for EV travel, especially in regions with limited charging networks. However, I also found that with a bit of preparation, like mapping out charging stations and building extra time into your itinerary, it’s absolutely possible to take on longer trips without too much stress.”

The trip wasn’t just about driving, however. Alford met up with fellow vagabonds and recordsetters around the globe, often while her car was charging. Alford narrates both in the moment scenes and voiceovers to add extra context, making Charge Around The Globe as informative and inspiring as it is entertaining. She witnesses sights like white sand hot springs in Turkiye, meets the world’s first female Muslim MMA fighter, and gets stuck (and basically lost) in middle-of-nowhere Africa.

Alford ended up visiting six continents and swapped out multiple Ford EVs. In Africa, for example, she flew into Cape Town and drove northeast in an attempt to closely following Wanderwell’s route through the continent. However, she experienced load shedding, when power is shut off overnight to conserve energy, as a hindrance to charging (and to peace of mind, as it turned out). Eventually she reached a point where the charging infrastructure was non-existent and had to turn back. Unexpected experiences happened in Asia, South America, and in the United States, as well, where foul weather and the steep slopes of the Rocky Mountains slowed her progress.

“​​For travelers, my advice is to embrace the journey and approach EV travel with a flexible mindset,” Alford says. “Use apps to locate chargers, plan your stops wisely, and look at charging breaks as opportunities to rest and explore nearby areas. EV travel may take a little extra thought, but it’s an exciting, sustainable way to experience the world.”