Zero Motorcycles Sets Electric Motorcycle Range Record at 436.5 km

Record Achievement by Zero Motorcycles

Zero Motorcycles has claimed a new Guinness World Record for electric motorcycle range, traveling 436.5 kilometers on a single charge with its Zero DS model. This feat surpasses the previous record of 311 kilometers set by Verge last year with their TS Pro model. The record was accomplished by three riders over a route from Les Claux in the French Alps to Camargue, located at sea level in southern France.

Details of the Record

The record-breaking attempt involved three motorcycles and three riders:

• Louis Renaud: Achieved 350 kilometers with 4% battery remaining.
• Jenny Brookes: Completed 384 kilometers, exceeding her battery's indicator of 0%.
• Jelle Verstaen: Reached 436.5 kilometers on a standard Zero DS, significantly surpassing the previous record by 125.8 kilometers, or 40%.

Conditions and Strategies

While the achievement is noteworthy, it is important to note that the motorcycle used for the record was equipped with an additional battery pack, increasing its capacity from 15.6 kWh to 19.2 kWh. The motorcycle’s official urban range is 249 kilometers with the standard battery. The record was facilitated by several strategies:

• Maintaining a moderate speed of 52 km/h.
• Riding primarily at night to avoid traffic congestion.
• Utilizing secondary roads and taking advantage of the terrain during the descent from the Alps.

These conditions, including the elevation drop from approximately 1,800-2,000 meters to sea level, contributed to lower energy consumption and more effective use of regenerative braking technology, allowing for battery recharge during the ride.

Despite the conditions, this record marks a significant milestone in the electric motorcycle industry, showcasing the potential for increased range in electric vehicles.