Driving to Ladakh in an EV: Everything to know before going!

Nexon EV Max is a great vehicle to take to Ladakh. It gets charged reasonably quickly and offers a great range if driven properly.

BHPian sumannandy recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

If you are in a hurry and want to complete a trip in the shortest possible time, do not take EV to Ladakh.

If you are, however, a careful driver taking things slow, and want to leisurely explore, take EV.

Before I begin, we are also working on some CSR projects to set up charging options in Ladakh. Some are without any cost, some with cost. If you need help, please reach out.

What you will love: No loss of power, driving pleasure, silence.

I think EV Max is a great vehicle to take to Ladakh. It gets charged reasonably quickly and offers a great range if driven properly. Punch EV should also be a good option, not sure. Charging takes time, sometimes longer, and may be due to altitude or something.

Also, use regen 0 coasting. Especially in downhill, use only region 0 and regen 1 or 2 to slow down. Do not press the accelerator. You may be in any mode, try Sports mode, you won't be disappointed. You would, however, be on extremely light foot. City mode is also a good choice.

Let's discuss charging options in the popular route.

You must carry an extension chord with earthing. At least 20 meters. Also, carry wires that connect to the plug point and also to your charger. This way you can connect your charger to 5A.

Srinagar has a regular fast charger. Leh has a fast charger which only works 10-4 Monday to Saturday. Rest all charging is through 15A.

If you are taking the Manali route - I do not recommend this, as charging options are limited. Also, you would be staying at high altitude.

Charge your EV in Manali. There are AC chargers available as per plug share. In Keylong, there is a fast charger but when I called they said it was not working. Stay at Jispa or Darcha. Many hotels would offer you 15A charging.

Charging in Sarchu is iffy. They run on a generator, and may not support the load requirement. We spoke to many, and only one or two agreed to provide 1 KV genset. No update on electricity in Pang. But if you drive to Rumtse, the 15A charging option is available in hotels. However, it is about 250 kms from Darcha.

So stay at Manali, then Jispa, Then Rumtse, then Leh.

If you are going via Srinagar - Recommended route. Charge fully at Srinagar. Drive slowly, you will reach Sonmarg. JKTDC Sonmarg and Yatri Niwas both offer charging. If you are staying at JKTDC, use the wires to connect to 5A. EV Max will charge but it may take longer.

Sonmarg is at 2700 m. A good option for acclimatisation. Leave early, and have lunch at Kargil. You would lose charge in Zozilla going up but would regain going down. Charge your car through the 15A socket in Kargil.

Go to Mulbekh and stay there. There are homestays offering charging. Height is about 3300m. Good options for acclimatisation.

Start early the next day from Mulbekh and reach Leh. 180 kms would probably take approximately 50 percent charge.

Fast charging is available in Leh. Offline, 10-4 Monday to Saturday. But many hotels offer free or paid charging.

It is possible to go and come back to Khardungla. EV Max would take approx 35 percent to go up in Sports mode, but regen another 10 percent while coming down. You may also go to Hunder and come back. I did not try this, but possible with a light foot.

If you are going to Pangong from Leh, go with light foot till Karu, slow charge at Karu while having breakfast, then go to Pangong and back. Karu to Pangong is about 110 kms. You may also charge at the petrol pump at Tangste, which works throughout the day on the generator. There is also a BRO cafe which has 24-hour solar 3kv. A few kms before Pangong. You may try charging there if needed, it may work. There is no charging option in Pangong.

You may stay at Tangste or Durbuk, but electricity is available only in the evening. Else charge at the options listed above. But I feel it is possible to go and come back if you slowly charge at Karu.

It is also possible to stay at Hunder and explore nearby areas. But electricity is available only in the evening.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Appreciate the advice, as well as the determination of someone to take an EV to Ladakh. But honestly, we should accept that not every car is suitable for 100% of purposes. Taking an EV to Ladakh is like me taking my Thar for a track day, or the 530d for soft-roading. Can be done, but both will be woefully out of place.

Instead of just worrying about range & charging, best to enjoy your EV in the city and on highways with dependable charging infrastructure. And when you drive to Ladakh, do so in an ICE vehicle for maximum holiday pleasure.

Here's what BHPian ferrarirules had to say on the matter:

Thanks for the update. This info is really helpful for others who are trying to go to Ladakh in an EV.

Recently fellow BHPian/auto journalist BunnyPunia did an EV trip from Delhi to Kargil. Here is his vlog where he documented his journey with wh/km and charging stop for every leg.

Update: I agree 100% that planning a trip to Ladakh as of now needs slow charge planning and keeping in mind that power is iffy in this region. But then going to Ladakh in an EV can be an adventure for a thrill seeker like it is for a person taking his bike to Ladakh. It is definitely not a family trip.

Also as pointed out by Bunny reaching Srinagar is not a problem due to ample chargers en-route. Post that where there is a will, there is a way.

Here's what BHPian BunnyPunia had to say on the matter:

Thanks for sharing my trip. Previously I took the EQB (Merc) to Siachen Base Camp as well. Till Srinagar, charging is NOT an issue due to ample DC fast chargers. If you have a decently good EV, you can almost hit Leh (425km) from Srinagar thanks to Regen.

With an earthing set-up, you get 2.4 kWh speed while charging and this is ample to get 35 kW overnight. Yes, not a piece of cake as compared to ICE vehicles, but with planning, you can undertake a Ladakh trip with an EV.

If you do your homework well, you will be rewarded with stares / looks / thumbs up / questions everywhere during your trip :-D

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.