A Zero DS covered 436.5 km on a single charge across public roads in southern France, ridden by Jelle Verstaen. Zero Motorcycles announced the result as a new Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled by an electric motorcycle without recharging. The route ran from the Alps near the Italian border to the Mediterranean coast.

The distance is approximately 125.8 km beyond the previous mark of 310.689 km, an improvement of more than 40%. Zero says the route was logged by GPS and independently verified by Guinness World Records. The motorcycle retained its production configuration, including its tyres and recommended pressures, although it was not in completely standard form.

The configuration behind the result

The key addition was the optional Power Tank. It contributes 3.6 kWh to the main 15.6 kWh battery, taking total capacity to 19.2 kWh. The record therefore applies to this particular configuration rather than establishing a new official range rating for the Zero DS. Its certified urban range is 249 km, while the 436.5 km run relied on a carefully selected route and a riding strategy focused on minimising energy use.

The route stayed away from motorways and combined mountain passes, twisty roads, secondary and local roads, villages and urban sections. Its layout was intended to reduce stops and repeated launches at traffic lights and junctions, preserving a smooth flow. Verstaen used regenerative braking on descents and maintained a steady pace through the more open sections.

Cruising speed was approximately 52 km/h whenever traffic, road conditions and speed limits allowed it. Weather still became a factor late in the attempt. After most of the route was completed without rain, the group encountered a storm in the Camargue, with the final 100 km taking place in torrential rain.

Three motorcycles cleared the previous mark

Two other production motorcycles took part in the same challenge. Louis Renaud covered 350 km on a Zero SR/S and finished with 4% battery remaining. Jenny Brookes, Zero Motorcycles’ Senior Director of Global Brand, completed 384 km on a Zero DSR/X before its battery was fully depleted. All three riders exceeded the previous record, with the DS and Power Tank combination achieving the greatest distance.

The Zero DS is the company’s entry-level dual-sport model, intended for daily commuting as well as off-road excursions. It uses Zero’s Z-Force technology, an air-cooled permanent-magnet motor and regenerative braking. Zero attributes the result to overall system efficiency, limited drivetrain losses and energy recovery during deceleration. The announcement coincides with the company’s 20th anniversary; Zero Motorcycles was founded in 2006.