US electric motorbike company Zero has just set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled on a single battery, travelling 271.2 miles (436.5km) on a charge. 

That distance roundly smashed the previous record, which was 193.1 miles (310.7km), mostly thanks to a journey that started high in Les Claux in the French Alps well north of Cannes and ended up by the rain-lashed Mediterranean seaside near Montpellier. 

The record was set by Belgian motorbike journalist Jelle Verstaen on a Zero DS costing around £19k with the optional power pack fitted that took battery capacity to 19.2kWh. 

Zero is keen to point out that the bike involved in the record attempt was factory spec with no modifications apart from some tape on the charge points after the batteries were filled at the start of the challenge. 

The Alpine start was chosen so that the bike could make the most of a downhill journey, topping up the battery with the regen and using momentum to keep going. 

Verstaen had emotional support from two other riders on Zero bikes, as well as a couple of vans for logistical support. The trip took place during the night on quiet roads so as to keep speeds under control and minimise any chance of being caught in traffic. 

The journey was certified by a representative of Guinness World Records, with the support teams keeping logbooks and evidence of the journey – which included video footage and witness statements. 

Not only that, but Verstaen’s bike was carrying two GPS trackers during the record attempt for absolute confirmation of the trip. According to Zero, the Guinness adjudicator spent an hour verifying the evidence before confirming the record had officially been broken.