By Chama Chabasungu
The fully electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz has arrived in Zambia as part of a 75-country global tour aimed at setting a new world record for long-distance travel using only electric power.
The vehicle was presented today at a reception hosted by the German Embassy in Lusaka, bringing together government officials, energy stakeholders and members of the diplomatic community to highlight the growing shift toward sustainable transport solutions.
The expedition, titled An Electric Journey Across Continents, is sponsored by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The journey is being driven by long-distance endurance driver Rainer Zietlow alongside co-driver Dominik Reip, who are leading the global mission to demonstrate that electric mobility can function across continents without fossil fuel dependence.
Speaking during the reception, German Ambassador to Zambia, Mr. Sönke Siemon, described the tour as a practical demonstration of Germany’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action.
“This journey shows that electric mobility is not a concept for the future. It is already a reality,” Ambassador Siemon said. “Germany values partnerships that promote innovation, renewable energy and sustainable transport, and Zambia is an important partner in this dialogue.”
Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, welcomed the initiative and noted its relevance to Zambia’s development priorities.
“As a country that depends heavily on tourism and natural heritage, sustainable transport solutions are important to us,” Mr Sikumba said. “Electric mobility supports environmental conservation while opening new opportunities for innovation and investment.”
Driver Zietlow expressed appreciation for the local support received during the Zambian leg of the journey.
“We are grateful to the ZESCO team for supporting us with charging approximately every 300 kilometers,” he said. “That coordination has made our journey through Zambia smooth and efficient.”
He also commended the country’s road infrastructure, noting that the quality of major highways has contributed significantly to the success of their transit.
“The road conditions we have experienced in Zambia have been very good,” Zietlow added. “They are helping make this tour a success.”
In Zambia, the movement of the ID.Buzz is being supported through charging infrastructure facilitated by ZESCO. A ZESCO representative noted that the country’s predominantly hydro-based electricity generation provides a strong foundation for electric vehicle integration.
“Our energy mix gives Zambia a strategic advantage in the transition toward electric mobility,” he said. “The key focus moving forward is expanding infrastructure to ensure reliability and accessibility.”
The ID.Buzz, a modern electric reinterpretation of Volkswagen’s iconic Kombi, forms part of the company’s broader strategy to accelerate electric vehicle adoption globally. The world tour is both a record attempt and a public statement on the viability of zero-emission transport across continents.
Zambia’s electric vehicle registrations have grown in recent years following fiscal incentives such as the removal of customs duty on EV imports. However, public charging infrastructure remains limited, and experts note that scaling adoption will require coordinated policy, investment and grid expansion.
As the electric van continues its journey across Africa and beyond, its stop in Lusaka places Zambia within a broader international conversation on climate responsibility, renewable energy integration and the future of sustainable transport.