[idoctor]

So Amit and I were planning this trip to Chitkul for a while in his Curvv EV (55 kWh variant) but not getting an adequate window to get out of our work schedules. Aims were to see a new place and also to test out the limits of the car. Amit had owned a Tiago EV before this and has ~ 45000 kms of EV driving experience up his sleeve. Then came the Good Friday long weekend and we grabbed the opportunity to plan our trip.

While planning we realised that we were to travel ~200 kms on a hilly terrain without any charger in between as the journey from Gurugram to Theog was a breeze with plenty of charging options in between. The only charger at Jeori (at an IOCL petrol pump) had been out of order for sometime as we had gathered from the Plugshare check ins as well as calling a shop nearby (Shop owner was kind enough to enquire from the petrol pump people regarding the charger status). So the plan was to take a call en route whether we go straight to our destination or break our journey overnight at a place so that we could charge.



The elevation data reassured us a bit in terms of one descent which we had before doing our final ascent to our destination and planned to use every bit of regen on that descent.



So the 2 of us set off for our destination around 4 AM on 18th April with the following stats



Reached Savoy Suites around 9:30 AM, Jabli by driving around 70 kmph avg speed in 5.5 hours. We just had 2 small bags in the boot. Stats below



Charged at Statiq 50 kW charger for 90 mins from 9-100 and the car drew a max of 46 kW. Paid Rs 1100 for the session and meanwhile had breakfast at McDonald's. Stats at the end of the charging session



Started for our next charging stop at Theog which was ~ 100 kms away at around 11:15 AM and reached there around 2:30 PM with 55% SOC, using up 45%. This stop was at the Taj, beautiful property. Explored the property, clicked pictures while the car charged.



Charged at a Tata 30 kW charger there and it took around 90 mins to charge from 55-98%. Took some time for initiating the charging which involved fiddling around with main MCB for the charger. We were not very hungry till then so we snacked in the car watching a movie while it charged. This session costed us Rs 618. In hind sight, this was a bad decision to charge at a 30 kW charger, you'll find out why at the end.



Next we set out for the dicy part of the journey from Theog to our destination Chitkul around 4:30 PM with 98% SOC. This leg was of 220 km with ~1000m elevation rise. Amit is a pro at hypermiling and was confident that we would be able to do this in one charge. Started from Theog with the following stats



On the way we hypermiled a bit to gain as much power as we could. The last 50 kms was a very steep elevation (~500 m) with a pathetic road. This last stretch took lot of time as the car was barely going beyond 15 km/h. The road was so narrow that we had to stop at wider patches to let the other vehicle to pass through. All said and done, we reached Chitkul at 1 AM with 23% SOC covering 223 kms and using up 75% SOC!





We stayed at Zostel Chitkul and the had spoken to the reception people regarding charging our car. They said we have a 16 A plug at the reception which can be used for charging. The manager called us at 8 PM saying he was leaving for the day and was kind enough to leave a small extension board for us to charge (we had carried our own too). We put the car for charging and went to sleep.



Next day, took the car for sightseeing and drove around 20 kms and then put it back for charging.

On the day we were about to leave, we were blessed with a surprise snowfall!



We started for our return journey at 8:30 AM with 93% SOC and reached Gurugram at 4:30 AM covering a total of 1300 kms. Took only one charging stop at Kufri at an Adani 60 kW charger which took 70 mins to charge up from 30-95%. Costed Rs 927. This was the stop we should have taken in our onward journey instead of Theog, would have saved around 45 mins with this fast charger. Total charging cost for the entire 1300 km journey was ~ Rs 3200. Final trip stats



This trip was a great learning experience for me as a non EV owner (till date, have booked XEV 9e though ). Like I learned that Curvv regenerates even while normal braking with Level 0 regen. Also the drive modes do not matter much and its all about how heavy your foot is while driving. We drove the entire 1300 kms in city mode without switching to Eco mode even once. I hope with this travelogue, I would inspire a lot of you to venture out further in your EVs.

Enough words, now I'll let the pictures do some talking which I clicked en route.

[d3mon]

Just an observation - every single line of text in this post is about the charging or range of the EV. Just like most EV travelogues, unfortunately.

Speaking of range, the other day my dinosaur fueled car went into "fuel reserve" with ~100KM of range left at <15% tank. Quickly refilled at the nearest fuel station and went about my way.

[400notout]

Originally Posted by d3mon

Just an observation - every single line of text in this post is about the charging or range of the EV. Just like most EV travelogues, unfortunately.

Of course it is, doing such a trip in an EV is an adventure in itself as there are many apprehensions associated with it. The OP while undergoing this trip has shown fellow/potential EV users its possibilities. Saying it’s possible in an EV is a tall statement, such travelogues only help in alleviating some fear in taking Evs to long distance. As a Nexon EV owner this post gives me confidence to use my outside the city. The other day I found a Bhpian do a mumbai-Mussoorie circuit that too on a MR Nexon Ev!!

In a fossil powered car what’s new about such feat? Nothing! In an EV people like OP are laying the foundation for other owners like me by actually taking the risks.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by 400notout

In a fossil powered car what’s new about such feat? Nothing! In an EV people like OP are laying the foundation for other owners like me by actually taking the risks.

I guess the question should be - why would I take such a risk? Would I be willing to turn each highway trip into a risk filled adventure?

I would have to spend 7 hrs (5.5 hrs drive time + 1.5 hrs charging time) to cover 318 kms and paying Rs 3.5/km towards charging cost. For a rupee more per km into my ICE car, I could cover the same distance in 5.6 hrs and without breaking into any sweat. If I use a hybrid car, my running cost would be at par with the EV and the drive time will be at par with ICE car.

[400notout]

Originally Posted by ashis89

I guess the question should be - why would I take such a risk? Would I be willing to turn each highway trip into a risk filled adventure?
.

Even ICE users do mention their average fuel consumption proudly, the higher the efficiency the wider their smile. Every body wants to travel longer distances faster and cheaper, it’s just human. We are not born with infinite time or resources. I’m not wanting this to go the EV vs ICE way so let me limit this to my own experience.

Fuel is expensive, especially for daily commutes upwards of 40kms. Not everyone can afford to keep/sustain/maintain 2 cars. So for single car owners like me with high daily mileage (>60kms) an EV is the most economical in the long run. Apart from economy, an EV also provides top notch comfort with negligible to zero NVH, insane power on tap along with the comfort of an automatic. The Tata Curvv, MG Windsor, and the likes offer comfort and power of vehicles far above their class compared to an ICE.

The longest distance I’ve done was a round trip to Pune from Navi mumbai, where I was fortunate to find a 3 point plug in the parking which my BILs neighbour had installed to charge his OLA scooter. That made my journey a breeze. A widespread availability of chargers will only diminish charging concerns. If I need to do a 1000 kms trip like I did on my petrol ICE to say Bengaluru/mysuru/Manguluru , I’ll need 4 breaks in 16 hrs of an hour each which is fair as considering my age I not going to do a limited stop express journey anymore.

So apart from the cost there’s other factors which would be even more expensive in an ICE. If one can afford a Taigun GT 1.5 and the fuel cost associated, they won’t be fiddling with the Curvv/BE6/ZS etc. A person of such capacities can always get an Ioniq/BYD/XEV9e/EV6 etc to play with, such buyers would still compare their EVs with their ICEs and you would still find range and charging stats

[ferrarirules]

Originally Posted by d3mon

Just an observation - every single line of text in this post is about the charging or range of the EV. Just like most EV travelogues, unfortunately.

Your dinosaur fueled car has been in existence for last 100 years. Petrol pumps have also existed since that time. So yes it is not an achievement to write about filling fuel in a ICE car.

But EVs in India are just 6 years old so is the charging network. Hence, travelling to remote places where the charging infra has not reached is a big feat today. 10 years down the line it will be normal and then people will talk about some other adventure.

Originally Posted by ashis89

I would have to spend 7 hrs (5.5 hrs drive time + 1.5 hrs charging time) to cover 318 kms and paying Rs 3.5/km towards charging cost.

OP travelled 317 kms in 5.5 hrs and took 1.5 hr break any person who is concerned about their safety will do that. After OP mentioned they selected the wrong charger and could have saved time as well. Also they were travelling to a remote area with lesser chargers so they charged more than required to be better safe than sorry.

Total charging cost for the entire 1300 km journey was ~ Rs 3200. Final trip stats

Also OP quoted the total charging cost as Rs.3200 for 1300 kms which comes out to be Rs.2.5 per km not Rs.3.5 per km. Please tell me a ICE/Hybrid car which can beat this. Most of the Indian have 90-10 (City-Highway) split and in city this car will be doing Rs.1.5 per km

[ALTIMAed]

Hi, I know this car and the owner Mr. Amit is a dear friend of mine. I just woke him up from deep slumber to tell him, his trip has been posted on Tbhp!! Sent the link to him on his request.

[idoctor]

Originally Posted by d3mon

Just an observation - every single line of text in this post is about the charging or range of the EV. Just like most EV travelogues, unfortunately.

Speaking of range, the other day my dinosaur fueled car went into "fuel reserve" with ~100KM of range left at <15% tank. Quickly refilled at the nearest fuel station and went about my way.

The idea of this travelogue was to showcase the possibility of venturing out to the furthest edges of the country with the existing charging infrastructure, hence the special attention to range and charging infra.

No offence intended but I do not think your dinosaur fuel car can ever cover 1300 kms (mind you that includes roads upto an elevation of 3400 metres+) in Rs 3200.

Originally Posted by ALTIMAed

Hi, I know this car and the owner Mr. Amit is a dear friend of mine. I just woke him up from deep slumber to tell him, his trip has been posted on Tbhp!! Sent the link to him on his request.

Yes he's the same Amit. He's mentioned your Comet as well in our discussion the other day

[anandhsub]

Originally Posted by d3mon

Just an observation - every single line of text in this post is about the charging or range of the EV.

This is the Electric Cars forum, not Travelogues..

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by 400notout

Even ICE users do mention their average fuel consumption proudly, the higher the efficiency the wider their smile.

And I respect that. Honestly.

Fuel is expensive, especially for daily commutes upwards of 40kms. Not everyone can afford to keep/sustain/maintain 2 cars. So for single car owners like me with high daily mileage (>60kms) an EV is the most economical in the long run.

I like the concept of an EV and strongly believe it to be a perfect city car. Economical to run (home charging), comfortable to drive (AT) and very safe/convenient (compared to public transport).

If someone does up to 200 kms daily, going for an EV makes perfect sense. They can charge once at home/office and go about their day without having to stop anywhere on the way. I have recommended a Nexon EV to 3 of my relatives and 2 friends who had similar requirements and they are happy owners.

A widespread availability of chargers will only diminish charging concerns. If I need to do a 1000 kms trip like I did on my petrol ICE to say Bengaluru/mysuru/Manguluru , I’ll need 4 breaks in 16 hrs of an hour each which is fair as considering my age I not going to do a limited stop express journey anymore.

More than availability of chargers, it is the availability of working ones on the highway which is the concern. And then the luck of not having to wait in queue when I want to charge my car. All of these factors can (occasionally) put a few spanners into my trip.

Originally Posted by ferrarirules

OP travelled 317 kms in 5.5 hrs and took 1.5 hr break any person who is concerned about their safety will do that.

I would like answer this. I am very concerned about my safety and my fellow passengers safety.

But I don't need a 1.5 hour break in a 5.5 hour trip, I can easily make do with 30 mins or less. What we need is the ability to decide our break points based on our food needs, tiredness levels or for bio-breaks.

I tried to remember the breaks we took on the last few trips and none of them were longer than an hour at max. Even when we stopped at a good restaurant, ordered multiple courses and desserts, we were able to eats our meals, freshen up and resume our drive in an hour. I wouldn't appreciate waiting and having an extra ice cream just because my car isn't fully charged yet.



Another thing I observed is the quick depletion on charge while climbing the hills. The car used up 75% charge while covering 223 kms, an effective range of less than 300 kms (or about ~60% of the rated capacity). This can leave someone in a tight spot if one has not planned their charging stops properly. Too many numbers at play!

[nakuls003]

How were the roads? Should I do this roadtrip in my Hyundai Verna?

[idoctor]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Another thing I observed is the quick depletion on charge while climbing the hills.

Whatever goes up, comes down!
Our efficiency while coming down hill, thanks to regen, we covered 40 kms in 1% charge.

Originally Posted by nakuls003

How were the roads? Should I do this roadtrip in my Hyundai Verna?

Last 50 kms has bad roads out of the 650 km one way trip. But is easily doable at slow speeds.

[400notout]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Another thing I observed is the quick depletion on charge while climbing the hills. The car used up 75% charge while covering 223 kms, an effective range of less than 300 kms (or about ~60% of the rated capacity). This can leave someone in a tight spot if one has not planned their charging stops properly. Too many numbers at play!

This is where experience comes into play. I faced the same issue while doing my Pune round trip. On paper it was 260 km to and fro which is well within the Nexons capabilities. However due to heat, traffic and gradients I reached my destination with around 40 to 45% charge remaining claiming to do 130 kms till discharge. Now when I left Navi Mumbai, I had kept a list of chargers near my destination as a back up plan. However the car was charged using a 15amp plug set up for an OLA scooter. While returning from Pune the car consumed 40% charge showing a range of 200 kms remaining.

In my experience heat is the biggest enemy of efficiency, the more the car has to struggle to keep the cabin cool, the more it drains the battery. For every incline that robs range comes a decline where you gain energy. Once while decending from Matheran, the car showed 223 kms range at the start, which changed to 230 when I reached the plains

Every EV owner at present practices their charging cycles differently. I never plan more than 250 kms on a single charge, though 300-320 is achievable. I never let the car go below 20% at any point in time. For daily commutes I always recharge at 50%.