Image Courtesy: WhichEV
The Renault 4 E-Tech electric has completed a 1,000-mile journey across the United Kingdom using only solar-generated electricity, demonstrating how existing renewable energy infrastructure can support long-distance electric vehicle travel without relying on power from the national grid.
The “Easee Sun Run” took the Renault 4 E-Tech electric ‘Plein Sud’ from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland around the summer solstice. Every recharge came from solar energy, either through established solar installations or portable battery storage charged by solar panels and connected via Easee’s Charge Pro EV charger. The journey was designed to showcase both the vehicle’s capabilities and Britain’s growing renewable energy network.
Unlike previous EV endurance drives focused on charging speed or infrastructure, Renault’s challenge emphasized renewable electricity generation. Along the route, the team visited a range of solar-powered sites, including Roskilly’s Ice Cream in Cornwall, the UK’s oldest commercial solar farm at Chard Junction, and Whaley Bridge Cricket Club, which operates off-grid using solar energy.
The expedition also highlighted emerging solar technologies. At Swansea University, researchers from Power Roll demonstrated lightweight flexible solar films that could expand where solar panels can be installed. The team also visited researchers in Durham developing highly efficient solar-powered vehicles capable of operating directly from sunlight.
The Renault 4 E-Tech ‘Plein Sud’ is powered by a 52 kWh battery paired with a 150-horsepower electric motor. It features a full-length electrically operated canvas roof measuring 80 by 92 centimeters, while retaining up to 1,350 liters of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded.
Project leader Jeremy Hart said the journey became more than a drive across Britain, showcasing how businesses, community organizations, and research institutions are already using solar power in practical ways.
The demonstration comes as home solar panels and battery storage become increasingly popular among EV owners looking to reduce charging costs and emissions. While Renault acknowledged that year-round solar-only driving remains impractical for most motorists due to seasonal weather conditions, the company believes the project demonstrates the growing role renewable energy can play in everyday electric vehicle charging.
