This Impressive EV Covered 626 Miles and Still Had Battery Life Remaining | Carscoops

      A record-breaking electric vehicle has just completed 1,008 km without needing a recharge, thanks to its sleek aerodynamics, intelligent design, and an unexpectedly standard battery pack.

      8 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      Renault's Filante Record 2025 achieved over 1,000 km while maintaining highway speeds.

      It utilizes a battery similar in size to that of Renault’s Scenic E-Tech.

      Its extremely low drag and light weight position it as a test platform for future EV technologies.

      Renault concluded 2025 with a remarkable milestone, pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle efficiency. This highly aerodynamic single-seater prototype successfully traveled 626 miles (1,008 km) on a single charge, achieving this in under 10 hours at an average speed of 102 km/h (63 mph).

      After the journey, the EV retained 11 percent of its battery charge, which could have allowed for an additional 75 miles (120 km) at the same speed, potentially increasing the total distance to 673 miles (1,083 km).

      A Prototype with Surprising Endurance

      The vehicle in discussion is the Filante Record 2025, a specially designed concept that debuted in January. Renault initially planned to attempt the record in July, but achieving the necessary aerodynamic standards proved more challenging than anticipated.

      By October, the prototype was ready, but weather issues in France caused further delays. Ultimately, the team relocated to Morocco, where they conducted the test on December 18 at the UTAC high-speed proving ground, where conditions were finally favorable.

      The Renault Filante Record 2025 (above) stands in comparison to the original prototype (below).

      The design is inspired by Renault's previous record-holding vehicles, especially the 1925 40 CV and the 1956 L’Étoile Filante. Nevertheless, several aspects of the original prototype required adjustments in the wind tunnel to fulfill the strict aerodynamic criteria.

      Alterations included removing the advanced LED lighting, decreasing the number of air intakes, and refining the fender designs. However, several key features remained intact: the elongated hood, clear canopy, aircraft-style tail, F1-style driving position, and ultraviolet-blue paint finish were all retained in the final model.

      The engineering efforts went beyond just enhancing aerodynamics. Renault also sought to minimize rolling resistance and vehicle weight. To achieve this, the team employed carbon fiber, aluminum alloys, and 3D-printed Scalmalloy parts.

      Michelin provided a custom set of low-drag tires, and the car's steering and braking systems were entirely operated by wire.

      French company Ligier managed the platform, chassis, and carbon tub design, integrating an 87 kWh battery pack. For context, this matches the battery capacity of the Scenic E-Tech, Renault’s midsize electric crossover.

      The Impressive Record

      On the day of the record attempt, three drivers alternated in the single seat, completing 239 laps of the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) Moroccan circuit over 10 hours. There were no charging breaks, only brief stops for technical checks and driver swaps. This steady approach helped maintain the average speed of 102 km/h (63 mph).

      The vehicle recorded an energy consumption rate of 7.8 kWh/100 km, which is nearly half of the official WLTP figure for the Scenic E-Tech, which has the same battery and uses 14.1 kWh/100 km in standard testing. Unlike those lab results, this test was conducted at real-world highway speeds.

      Renault developed the Filante Record 2025 not only to commemorate its history of record-breaking prototypes but also to find ways to enhance efficiency in production electric vehicles, especially for long-distance travel.

      The aim is that knowledge gained from this project will inform future Renault models, enabling drivers to spend more time on the road as advancements in battery and motor technology progress.