I did a 185 km trip in my Hyundai Kona & returned home with 59% SOC

The onward trip had a heavy consumption but the return trip regen - drove the efficiency back up to 11.8KM/KWh (or around 85Wh/km).

BHPian EV Fan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Managing uphill climbs

Recently did a 185 km round trip from Chengannur to Elappara & back, with a climb that went from 40m to 1212m in around 25 kms. I had started with a full charge and returned back home at 59%

The onward trip had a heavy consumption but the return trip regen - drove the efficiency back up to 11.8KM/KWh (or around 85Wh/km).

The drive was not primarily focused on efficiency due to time constraints, but that was still being managed subconsciously. It was mostly solo except for sections where few folks hitched rides with me.The AC was running almost throughout, maybe at part load at the higher - colder altitudes, so that may have marginally helped.

But more importantly, the climb was managed at a steady pace of around 30-40kmph rather than tracking the bumper of other vehicles. I think by preserving the momentum and not accelerating unnecessarily to brake later, saved a lot of charge. Almost the entire climb was managed, without slowing down below 25 kmph or ending up getting too close to the vehicle in front.

While, the trip was too short to have any range anxiety, but I can confidently say that Kona can manage around 200 kms of climbing on a full charge. (maybe 250kms with anxiety creeping up)

I would like to know if any other EV owners on this forum had done this same section and what were the efficiency readings. But more importantly, looking for tips on how to improve this further.

I have been able to manage 4-5KM/KWh on moderately steep climbs like these but hitting 6KM/KWh almost looks unachievable as of now unless I have the roads to myself.

On a side note:

Throughout the climb, I noticed a lot of aggressive drivers overtaking other cars recklessly, only to end up crawling behind slow-moving trucks further up. Eventually, all the cars caught up to these drivers without any reckless maneuvering or gunning their engines.

In most of the cases. It was the truck drivers who used to park at flat/gently sloping sections, allowing the convoy of vehicles built up behind them to overtake.

Disclaimer: I ensure that traffic never gets held up behind me. Also, I never hold up anyone overtaking me and generally aid in overtaking by losing speed, if they follow proper signaling and don’t put me at risk.

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