More than 750 years ago, Marco Polo embarked on an epic 24-year journey that forever altered the cultural and economic ties between Europe and Asia. Now, a team is retracing that legendary route swapping camels and wooden ships for a high-tech electric grand tourer.
Dubbed the “Marco Polo Drive of Peace,” this massive 15,000-kilometer (approximately 9,300 miles) road trip officially kicked off from Rome’s historic Palazzo Orsini Taverna. The journey isn’t just a grueling test of automotive endurance; it is a highly calculated cultural and environmental mission powered by the BYD Group.
Who is Making the Run?
- Professor Jeffrey Sachs: One of the world’s leading economists, author, and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development.
- Patrick Zhong: The Founding Managing Partner of the global investment firm M31 Capital.
While Sachs and Zhong are behind the wheel, they are heavily backed by BYD Group, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer. BYD has deployed its flagship luxury brand, DENZA, to lead the pack. The spearhead vehicle for the entire cross-continental trek is the brand-new, 1,140-horsepower Denza Z9GT—a sleek, tri-motor “shooting brake” wagon designed to showcase the pinnacle of modern Chinese EV engineering.
Why Are They Making the Run?
If you wanted to get from Rome to Hong Kong today, you’d usually catch an 11-hour flight. Choosing to spend weeks on the road instead serves a few massive, multi-layered purposes:
1. Promoting Peace and Sustainable Connectivity
As Professor Sachs noted at the opening ceremony, the world is navigating highly fraught geopolitical times. The “Drive of Peace” aims to use the universal challenge of climate change as a bridge, demonstrating how shared sustainable infrastructure and green technologies can connect diverse countries, cultures, and communities.
2. Shattering “Range Anxiety” on a Global Scale
Historically, EVs have been viewed as city cars or regional commuters. By driving across rugged terrain, fluctuating climates, and varying degrees of charging infrastructure through Europe and Asia, the team is out to prove that long-distance electric travel is fully viable right now.
3. Showcasing “Flash” Tech
BYD is using the trip to spotlight its new tech arsenal, particularly its second-generation Blade Battery and FLASH Charging system. The Z9GT boasts a range of up to 1,036 km (approx. 643 miles) on a single charge under optimal testing cycles. More impressively, BYD’s new ultra-fast charging infrastructure allows the car to juice up from 10% to 70% in just five minutes—essentially matching the time it takes to fill up a conventional gas tank.
BYD’s Executive Vice President, Stella Li, framing the vehicle’s role, noted that the car functions as a “mobile home and office” along the ancient Silk Road, utilizing Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology to cook food, power equipment, and run an AI-powered digital assistant across borders.
The Timeline: When Do They Plan to Get There?
The journey is a strictly timed, 43-day expedition.
Because the caravan took off from Rome, the team is projected to reach their final destination in Hong Kong by late July.
Expedition Metric | Details |
|---|---|
Total Distance | ~15,000 Kilometers (9,300 Miles) |
Duration | 43 Days |
Lead Vehicle | Denza Z9GT EV (1,156 PS / 1,140 HP) |
Key Milestones | Crossing Europe, Central Asia, and mainland China |
As Patrick Zhong beautifully put it at the launch: “When we travel today… we take a flight, watch a movie, have a good meal, and sleep a little bit. But when Marco Polo traveled, you had to do this step by step. Being on the road allows you to experience the majestic splendor of the world in slow motion.”
