Renault has set a new efficiency record, but it’s not one of those annoying records that was achieved by driving at 20mph for 24 hours. Nope. Renault specifically wanted to prove that it could cover over 1000km (620 miles) at normal road speeds, and with a normal battery, and that’s what it’s done with the Renault Filante EV. 

The Filante uses the 87kWh battery that you can buy in the Renault Scenic E-Tech, but this is an experimental car. Even our own Nicola, who went out to Morocco to see the Filante set its record, reckoned that it was a bit disappointing that the record-breaking EV didn’t quite look as cool as the initial Renault Filante concept car. 

But it is still a pretty remarkable-looking EV that maximises aerodynamics (always key to efficiency) while looking fantastically art-deco thanks to the inspiration it takes from the Renault 40 CV of 1925 and Etoile Filante of 1956. Despite giving a nod to old record-breakers from Renault’s past, the 2025 Filante car is also very modern, with a cockpit and driving position inspired by a fighter jet and Formula One car.  

It also uses steer-by-wire tech, lightweight carbonfibre and 3D-printed materials and custom Michelin tyres, among other hi-tech features. So not all that ‘real-world’ yet, then. 

But the Filante record is still really impressive. This car covered 1,008km (626 miles) in under 10 hours at an average of 63mph, achieving 7.96 miles per kWh, which meant that it still had 11% battery capacity remaining at the finish. That would have been good for another 75 miles, by the way, meaning that the Filante could have covered over 700 miles without charging. 

Don't forget to watch Nicola’s video of the Filante's record-breaking run, to find out about the people and the tech behind this car, and how it might help to improve the efficiency on Renault EVs in the future.

The Renault Filante averaged 7.96 m/kWh and 63mph over 626 miles