Renault has achieved a breakthrough in electric vehicle range testing, with its experimental Filante concept covering more than 1,000km on a single charge while maintaining highway speeds.
The aircraft-inspired test vehicle traveled 1,008km – 626.3 miles – without stopping to charge during testing at the UTAC facility in Morocco. The car maintained an average speed of 62mph throughout the run.
Even after completing the distance, the Filante’s 87kWh battery retained 11% capacity. That’s enough remaining power for another 120km at speeds above 60mph.
Purpose-Built for Efficiency Testing
Renault designed the single-seater as a “lab on wheels” to test cutting-edge EV technology and maximize energy efficiency. The car weighs just 1,000kg thanks to ultra-light materials and 3D-printed components.
The vehicle uses advanced steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems to reduce weight further.
Renault’s engineers specifically targeted real-world highway conditions rather than optimal efficiency scenarios.
“If their only goal had been to drive the longest possible distance between charges, the designers and experts could have fitted the car with a huge battery or driven it in eco mode at 30 km/h (19mph) on average,” Renault noted. “But Renault was aiming much higher and tasked the drivers with keeping its average speed of over 110 km/h.”
The test required covering more than 1,000km in under 10 hours, including technical stops and driver changes.
Performance Comparison
Three test drivers completed 239 laps of the UTAC circuit, achieving an average consumption of 8m/kWh.
For context, the production Renault Scenic uses the same 87kWh battery pack but delivers an official range of 379 miles with combined consumption of 3.7m/kWh under standard testing conditions.
The Filante’s efficiency gains come from its aerodynamic design inspired by aerospace and Formula 1 technologies.
Engineering Heritage
Renault unveiled the Filante at the Rétromobile trade show in early 2025. The design draws inspiration from previous record-breaking Renaults, including the 1925 40 CV and 1956 Étoile Filante.
Months of wind tunnel testing refined the cigar-shaped body and closed wheel fairings to optimize airflow and reduce energy consumption.
Sandeep Bhambra, Renault’s chief designer of advanced projects, explained the development philosophy.
“The overarching goal, from the first sketches to the final test-track drive, was absolute efficiency. That’s the hallmark of a record-breaking car – and it mirrors Renault’s pioneering spirit and tradition since its inception in 1898.”
Bhambra noted that teams from Renault worked alongside partners Michelin and Ligier to optimize every aspect of the vehicle’s design.
The project demonstrates that electric vehicles can now handle long-distance travel without recharging, even when maintaining sustained highway speeds rather than crawling along in efficiency modes.
