The Mercedes-Benz EQS is now one of the few EVs that have gone this far
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has officially set a new benchmark for electric vehicle endurance, completing a remarkable 1,045km journey across Japan on a single charge. The achievement was documented by Japanese automotive media outlet webCG, which praised the drive as a powerful demonstration of the capabilities and potential of EVs in real-world conditions.
Unlike many EV range records that rely on controlled, low-speed urban driving to minimize energy consumption, this impressive feat spanned a variety of road types. The route stretched from Fukuoka to Tokyo, covering rural roads, highways, and hilly terrain, all while maintaining realistic driving conditions.
Moreover, the EQS’ regenerative braking system played a significant role in maintaining energy efficiency, particularly in Japan’s undulating landscape. Behind the wheel was Masamichi Ishii, who emphasized that the result was not the product of extreme hypermiling, but rather a testament to the car’s engineering.
“Anyone could do this,” Ishii stated, crediting the EQS’ aerodynamic design, intelligent energy management, and strong regenerative braking capabilities for making the record possible. He noted that understanding the balance between speed and efficiency was key, but ultimately, the vehicle did most of the work.
On top of that, while the current record is impressive, it’s likely to be challenged in the near future as advancements in battery technology, particularly solid-state batteries, promise even greater energy density and efficiency. These next-generation batteries could significantly extend the range of EVs, potentially making 1,000+ kilometre journeys commonplace.
This new milestone adds to a growing list of electric vehicle endurance records. Recently, the Verge TS Pro, a fully electric motorcycle, completed a record-breaking 311-kilometre ride on a single charge. Meanwhile, in 2023, Webfleet achieved a Guinness World Record by driving a FIAT e-Scudo electric van for 500 kilometres on one charge.
Explorers Chris and Julie Ramsey also made headlines by breaking two world records during their all-electric expedition from the North Pole to the South Pole in a Nissan Ariya. As EV technology continues to evolve, milestones like these serve not only to demonstrate technical prowess but also to help shift public perception, showing that long-distance, sustainable travel is not only possible, but already here.
We got all this from Electric Drives and their full article is linked here. Thank you Electric Drives for the information and images.
