A standard production electric vehicle, a Renault 4 E-Tech, has completed the 870-mile journey from Land's End to John o'Groats without drawing a single kilowatt from the grid or burning any fuel. Every electron came from the sun, and the trip cost absolutely nothing.
How the Renault 4 traveled for free using only solar energy
The car, a £27,000 Renault 4 E-Tech 'Plein Sud', carries no solar panels itself. The secret is a 300kWh battery pack in the trunk built by OnBio from second-life cells. This pack was charged over a week by Power Logistics using only solar power from a farm. Once full, it can recharge the little Renault six times over.
The route showcased British solar innovation at work
The 'Easee Sun Run', conceived by automotive adventurer Jeremy Hart, visited farms, haulage firms, and cricket clubs that generate their own solar power. At Whaley Bridge Cricket Club, a 12kW rooftop array powers the bar and floodlights since 2021. In County Durham, Power Roll prints flexible, lightweight solar film suitable for roofs that can't support traditional panels.
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The final leg from Inverness to John o'Groats went smoothly
Driving the last stretch in Eco mode with air conditioning on and four adults aboard, the Renault maintained a real-world range of about 243 miles, matching official estimates. The team averaged around 200 miles per charge throughout the journey. A 25-mile detour due to roadworks and a sheep rescue did not hinder the record.
Solar energy generated nearly twice what the car consumed
Over the entire run, the car drew 276 kWh, all from solar sources. The solar panels encountered along the way produced 555 kWh, almost double the car's usage. With the excess, the car could have driven back to Land's End without additional charging. On a public rapid charger, the team recharged the car while having fish and chips, demonstrating that time spent charging can be minimal.
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This achievement highlights the potential of pairing electric vehicles with solar power. While the tech world keeps an eye on rising component costs for smartphones, as reported in this article, sustainable mobility is making real progress. For more on solar energy fundamentals, see the Wikipedia page on solar energy.
