436.5 km on a SINGLE charge — a Guinness World Record!
A Zero DS electric motorcycle has covered 436.5 km on a single charge. Zero Motorcycles says this makes it the new Guinness World Record holder for the longest electric motorcycle ride without a charging stop.
436.5 km
Distance on one charge
+125.8 km
More than the previous record
19.2 kWh
Battery with optional Power Tank
Rider Jelle Verstaen set the record on a Zero DS dual-sport bike. He beat the previous best of just under 311 km, set last year by a Verge TS Pro, by more than 40%.
From the Alps to the Mediterranean
The ride started in the French-Italian Alps and headed south through France. It crossed mountain passes, villages and country roads before reaching the Mediterranean coast, with Verstaen's final leg ending in the Camargue.
The last 100 km were the hardest. A severe storm hit, and Zero says the final 25 minutes brought gale-force crosswinds and heavy rain.
No special modifications
Zero says the bike was not modified for the attempt. The standard Zero DS has a 15.6 kWh battery, rated at 249 km of urban range. For the record, it carried the optional 3.6 kWh Power Tank, bringing total capacity to 19.2 kWh.
The team stretched the range with simple techniques:
- Steady, moderate speeds on quieter roads
- Night riding with little traffic
- Regenerative braking on long Alpine descents
- Regular tyre pressure checks
Two more riders beat the old record: Louis Renaud covered 350 km on a Zero SR/S and finished with 4% battery left. Jenny Brooks rode 384 km on a Zero DSR/X, carrying a videographer as a passenger, and kept going for about 15 km after her display showed 0%.
Zero Motorcycles was founded in the USA in 2006 and is now based in the Netherlands.
