Rented a self-drive ZS EV: First time driving an electric was thrilling

The car's smooth acceleration and responsive handling made navigating the winding roads a breeze.

BHPian TeaSea recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hello everyone, this is my first post on Team-BHP! I'm excited to be part of this community and humbly thankful for the wealth of helpful information available here. It's been incredibly useful in planning my travels, and I'm grateful for all the insights and advice shared by members. With this post, I'm trying to pay it forward, and I hope that my experiences might help someone in the future. Looking forward to learning and contributing to the community!

I recently had the pleasure of renting a self-driving car from EVM Wheels for a 4-day trip from Kochi to Munnar and back. The experience was nothing short of fantastic! I opted for the MG ZS EV, which was not only my first time renting a car but also my first experience driving an electric vehicle.

Booking Process

The booking process was smooth, and I appreciated the convenience of being able to book through either their app or website. After entering my contact number, the sales team called almost immediately, offering their assistance. However, I found that the deals they offered over the phone were the same as those available on the app, so I decided to book through the app instead.

One thing to note is that EVM Wheels requires a security deposit of ₹5000, as well as an additional ₹1000 for the FASTag. Both of these deposits are refundable.

However, I did have one major concern as a first-time user. Despite receiving a confirmation message, I didn't receive any further communication from EVM Wheels about when I would receive the car or where the pickup point would be. This lack of communication caused me a significant amount of anxiety, especially since I didn't receive any response to my emails or phone calls until around 5 pm on the eve of my trip.

I wish EVM Wheels would consider adding more information to their FAQs or confirmation message to alleviate this concern for future customers.

Pickup Process

The pickup process, however, was smooth and efficient. I had selected Kochi Airport as the pickup point, and the EVM representative contacted me over WhatsApp to confirm my terminal. He reached the pickup point, which was the parking and taxi pickup slots, dot on time. We met at pillar 36, and I was able to inspect the car thoroughly.

Thanks to the helpful reviews on Team-BHP, I knew to take a detailed video of the car, covering each and every existing scratch and bump. The car had already been driven for around 90,000 km, so it was fairly bruised. I also took videos of the interior of the car, which was delivered neat and clean with 65% charge. We were on the road in less than 15 minutes.

Driving Experience

As it was my first time driving an EV, my son and I took our time to familiarize ourselves with the different mechanisms. However, I did struggle to figure out how to get my phone's Google Maps on the car's screen, as I'm not used to the default TomTom maps on the MG. I couldn't find my hotel on TomTom, so I ended up using Google Maps on my phone throughout the journey. On the bright side, I enjoyed listening to songs on the Gana app, which was pre-installed on the MG.

The MG ZS Ev was a joy to drive, especially in the hills of Munnar. The car's smooth acceleration and responsive handling made navigating the winding roads a breeze. I was also impressed with the car's regenerative braking system, which helped recharge the battery while driving downhill.

Charging Experience

I was a bit apprehensive about finding charging stations, but I had done my research beforehand. I had read about the experiences of fellow EV enthusiasts on Team-BHP and had downloaded the ChargeMOD and PlugShare apps to help me map out my route with charging stations.

One of my charging stops was at an Evok station on my way to Munnar. I had also downloaded the Evok app on my phone, but I was still a bit nervous as it was my first charging experience. Unfortunately, I struggled to get the charger going, and the Evok app was not recognizing the charger. There was another user there charging his car, and he suggested using ChargeMOD instead. I loaded ₹1000 into my ChargeMOD account, but still, the charging didn't start. Once the other user left, I tried the gun he was using, and the charging started.

However, once the charging started, it was quick and efficient. In 35-40 minutes, we had 95% charge from 55%. We were able to start our journey again, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after our break at the Evok station, which was conveniently located next to a fast-food restaurant called Chiking - a local variation of KFC.

When we arrived at our hotel in Munnar, the Valle Hotel, we were pleased to find that they had provided electric plugs next to the parking area, making overnight charging very convenient. They had 4-5 such parking spots that could be used by EVs, which was a great relief. We were able to charge our car overnight, and it was ready to go for the next day's adventure.

Return Journey

On our return journey, the regenerative braking system of the MG ZS EV truly showed its magic. We started our journey with a 100% charge, and despite driving through the hills and winding roads, we were able to hand...we were able to hand over the car to the EVM representative with an impressive 85% battery charge. It was amazing to see how the regenerative braking system had helped to recharge the battery while driving downhill.

Car Return Experience

The car return experience was also smooth and efficient. The EVM representative was assigned to me around 8 pm on the eve of the return day, and he got in touch with me over WhatsApp to confirm the return details. We agreed to meet again at pillar 36 at the Kochi Airport, which was the same pickup point.

During the checkout process, the representative did ask me for the photos and videos I had taken during the pickup to verify the condition of the car. This was where the detailed video I had taken during the pickup came in handy, thanks to the helpful advice from Team-BHP. The representative was satisfied after reviewing the video, and the return process was completed quickly, taking less than 10 minutes.

As a precaution, I also took another thorough video of the car before handing it over, just in case any issues arose later on.

Settlement and Refund

The next day, I received a settlement message from EVM Wheels with zero deductions, which was a relief. I also received a formal email with the settlement details a day later, and the refund was credited to my account within a week.

Overall Experience

Overall, I'm thrilled to have chosen EVM Wheels for my trip, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and enjoyable self-drive experience in Kerala. The MG ZS EV was a fantastic choice, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving an electric vehicle in the beautiful hills of Munnar.

The car's features, such as the touchscreen infotainment system and the comfortable seating, were impressive. The car's safety features, including the airbags and ABS, gave me added peace of mind while driving.

The scenic routes of Munnar were a joy to drive through, and the MG ZS EV handled the winding roads with ease. I was able to enjoy the stunning views of the tea plantations and the Western Ghats.

EVM Wheels also provided me with a comprehensive guide to driving in Kerala, which included tips on road safety and etiquette. This was particularly helpful, as I was not familiar with the local driving conditions.

In conclusion, my experience with EVM Wheels and the MG ZS EV was outstanding. While there were a few minor hiccups during the booking and charging process, the overall experience was smooth and enjoyable. I would highly recommend EVM Wheels to anyone looking for a hassle-free and enjoyable self-drive experience in Kerala.

Here's my favourite car picture from the trip:

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