Citroën C-Zero Completes 25,000km Global Journey on Just €250 of Electricity
Engineers Xavier Degon and Antonin Guy drove a standard Citroën C-Zero electric car through 17 countries in eight months, covering 25,000km on minimal charging costs.
Citroën has announced that its C-Zero electric city car has completed a round-the-world journey, covering 25,000 kilometres across 17 countries in just eight months. The trip was undertaken by engineers Xavier Degon and Antonin Guy, who relied on public charging points and the hospitality of locals to keep the car running. Remarkably, the total electricity cost for the entire journey amounted to only €250 (£202), demonstrating the efficiency and low running costs of electric vehicles even over long distances.
Citroën C-Zero Completes Round-the-World Journey
Electric Odyssey: The Route and the Challenge
The journey, named the Electric Odyssey, was designed to showcase the real-world potential of a standard production electric vehicle. Degon and Guy’s ambitious route took them through Europe, North America, Japan, and several other regions, navigating a wide variety of climates, road conditions, and charging infrastructure. The pair had to plan their stops carefully, often relying on the kindness of individuals and businesses to provide access to electricity in areas where public charging stations were scarce or non-existent.
Despite the logistical challenges, the C-Zero completed the trip without major technical setbacks. This achievement highlighted the reliability of its electric drivetrain and battery system, even under the demanding conditions of a global journey. The successful completion of the Electric Odyssey served as a practical demonstration of what was possible with early-generation electric vehicles, provided that careful planning and flexibility were part of the approach.
The Citroën C-Zero: Specifications and Range
The Citroën C-Zero used for the journey was a standard production model, mechanically identical to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. It is powered by a lithium-ion battery and a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 67 horsepower (49kW) and 180Nm of torque. The car is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in 15.9 seconds and has a top speed of 129km/h. Its official range is 130km (81 miles) on a single charge, making a trip of this scale a significant logistical challenge, requiring frequent stops for recharging.
| Motor power | 67hp (49kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 180Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 15.9 seconds |
| Top speed | 129km/h |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion |
| Range (NEDC) | 130km |
| Charging cost (world trip) | €250 (£202) |
Implications for Electric Vehicle Adoption
Although the C-Zero’s round-the-world journey was a unique event, it drew significant attention to both the possibilities and limitations of electric vehicles in 2012. The reliance on goodwill and improvised charging solutions highlighted the lack of a comprehensive charging network at the time. In many regions, public infrastructure for electric vehicles was sparse, requiring the drivers to seek help from local residents or businesses willing to share access to power outlets.
Nevertheless, the successful completion of the journey demonstrated that even early electric vehicles could be used for long-distance travel, as long as drivers were prepared to plan their routes carefully and accept slower progress compared to conventional cars. The journey also served as a promotional tool for Citroën, placing the C-Zero in the spotlight at a time when manufacturers and governments were starting to focus more seriously on electric mobility and the future of urban transport.
The Broader Context: Electric Vehicles in 2012
In 2012, the electric vehicle market was still in its infancy, with only a handful of models available and public charging infrastructure limited in most countries. The C-Zero’s achievement provided a tangible example of what could be accomplished with the technology available at the time. It also highlighted the importance of developing a more robust and widespread charging network to make electric vehicles practical for a larger number of drivers.
The journey’s low total energy cost, less than the price of a single tank of petrol in some countries, underscored one of the key advantages of electric vehicles: their low running costs. For many observers, this put into perspective the economic potential of switching to electric power, even as range and charging times remained significant hurdles.
Legacy of the Electric Odyssey
The C-Zero’s global journey remains a notable milestone in the history of electric vehicles. It demonstrated that with determination, planning, and a willingness to engage with communities along the way, electric cars could achieve feats previously thought possible only for conventional vehicles. The Electric Odyssey contributed to the growing conversation around sustainable mobility and helped to inspire further development of electric vehicle technology and infrastructure.
