Of course, nit-pickers will point out that the Daihatsu was sporting a 74 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery -- something we're not likely to see in many EVs due to its high cost. But the last time the crew attempted the same feat, in the same car, they managed "only" 345 miles. So where's the extra juice coming from?

Well, nowhere -- it's the same battery (albeit a large one). Instead, the crew pulled some EV hypermiling moves, cutting serious weight and using lower-rolling-resistance tires. Not to mention the fact that they drove extremely conservatively (the average speed was less than 25 mph) on a closed course -- hardly real-world driving conditions. However, as we see the dawn of the EV age, it's good to know that conscientious driving habits are still rewarded with greater fuel efficiency, no matter what the fuel.