How far can an electric SUV travel on a single charge if every decision is made with efficiency in mind? Two Škoda employees decided to find out by taking the new Peaq 90 on a long-distance challenge that ultimately covered 936 kilometres without recharging.

The journey started at Škoda’s main production plant in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, and ended on the Dutch coast near Zandvoort. According to Škoda, the result represents the longest distance ever covered by a Peaq and also sets a record for an electric seven-seat SUV.

The achievement was officially recognised as a Czech record for the longest distance travelled by an electric vehicle on a single charge.

Almost 1,000 km without stopping to recharge

The drivers were Marek Jež, Project Leader for the Peaq programme, and Jakub Krs, Chief Battery Officer for the model. Their initial goal was to exceed the vehicle’s WLTP range and see whether they could get close to the 900-kilometre mark.

To maximise efficiency, they carefully planned the route, favouring secondary roads with lighter traffic. Artificial intelligence was also used to help identify the most suitable route.

Amsterdam, around 850 kilometres from Mladá Boleslav, was initially chosen as the destination. Once they reached the Netherlands, however, the remaining battery charge looked promising enough to extend the journey.

Instead of stopping in Amsterdam, the two decided to continue all the way to the sea, adding roughly 50 kilometres to the original route.

A production-spec Peaq

The vehicle used for the attempt was a standard-production Škoda Peaq 90, fitted with a 91-kWh battery pack, with 86 kWh usable, a 210-kW electric motor, rear-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels and production low-rolling-resistance tyres.

The only modification made before departure was sealing the charging-port flap.

The attempt was monitored by certification authority TÜV Süd, while representatives of the Czech Book of Records were also present to follow the result.

Marek and Jakub left Mladá Boleslav at noon on Tuesday, 25 August. Initially, they swapped driving duties approximately every two hours, although they changed drivers more frequently during the night.

Smooth driving was key to the record

The route took the Peaq through the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands. One of the biggest challenges was maintaining a consistent speed while dealing with normal traffic conditions.

According to the drivers, smooth driving at a constant speed was one of the most important factors in reducing energy consumption. Hard acceleration was avoided wherever possible, as were heavy braking and unnecessary stops, since bringing the vehicle back up to cruising speed requires additional energy.

Regenerative braking also played a role. However, using too much regeneration can actually work against efficiency by unnecessarily slowing the car and requiring more energy to regain speed.

The objective was therefore not simply to drive slowly, but to find the right balance between speed, traffic, road conditions and energy consumption.

Urban traffic put the range at risk

After around 750 kilometres, the Peaq entered the most challenging part of the journey. Crossing into the Netherlands brought more traffic and eventually more urban driving.

Intersections, traffic lights and frequent changes in speed pushed consumption higher, putting the 900-kilometre target at risk.

Longer, flatter stretches outside urban areas subsequently helped bring consumption back down. The situation became sufficiently favourable for the drivers to consider extending their journey even further.

During a stop at a Škoda dealership in Amersfoort, they decided to abandon the original plan of stopping in Amsterdam and continue towards the coast.

936 km and just 9.2 kWh/100 km

The final kilometres were completed along the coast near the beaches of Zandvoort, where the last percentage points of the battery were finally used.

The Peaq completed the journey after travelling 936 kilometres on a single charge, recording an average energy consumption of just 9.2 kWh/100 km.

That is an exceptionally low figure for a large seven-seat electric SUV. However, it is important to put the result into context: this was an efficiency-focused record attempt rather than a representation of everyday driving conditions.

The route, driving style and weather were all selected or exploited to maximise range. The drivers themselves acknowledged that rain and wet roads would have made such a result impossible.

What the record tells us about EV efficiency

Both drivers admitted that the Peaq exceeded their expectations. Neither had anticipated such low energy consumption or such a long range before setting off.

The attempt also attracted considerable interest among Škoda employees, who followed the vehicle’s progress through a live online data feed and even placed bets on how far the Peaq would eventually travel.

The 936-kilometre result highlights just how much driving style and conditions can influence the range of an electric vehicle. It should not be interpreted as the real-world range an average driver can expect from the Peaq, but rather as a demonstration of the vehicle’s maximum efficiency under highly controlled circumstances.

Nevertheless, achieving 936 kilometres without recharging shows the potential of modern electric powertrains when speed, traffic, weather and energy management all work in their favour.

Innovative technologies for the production and recycling of electric and hybrid vehicles, targeting the automotive, transport and industrial sectors, will be showcased at E-Tech Europe, taking place from 7 to 9 October 2026 at Bologna Exhibition Center as part of Urban Tech 2026 – The Urban Technology Show, the new event dedicated to e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecommunications & data, and the environment.