In a noteworthy example of an EV on Indian roads, the owner of a Mahindra XEV 9S has driven a family round trip of 1,609 km from Mumbai to Bhopal and back in this electric vehicle. With his wife and two kids, and the full load of luggage, he was able to keep the cabin air-conditioned at a comfortable 24 to 26 degrees Celsius throughout the trip. This was no easy task, as the trip included driving along multiple city exits and expressways as well as dealing with varying traffic densities typical of a road trip within the country. The drive was done in the car’s L0 regen combined with the Custom Mode, using the Range powertrain, for maximum range.
The driving time totaled 30 hours and 30 minutes over the entire distance with days in between for family relaxation. The efficiency recorded was an impressive 6.05 km per kWh or 16.53 kWh for every 100 km. The car’s odometer read 6.91 km per kWh. These numbers were achieved despite keeping the car’s cabin fully air conditioned and with four people on board, including the luggage. The figures represent a typical range for most electric cars, despite being lower than the theoretical range due to the constant load of four people in the car and the need to keep the air conditioning on. Only five DC public charging sessions were needed for the entire round trip, with a total energy consumption of 183.85 kWh and a total cost of ₹4,739.
This comes out to only ₹3.56 per km travelled or a total of approximately ₹5,722 for the entire trip. Due to the low number of charging stops needed for the family of four’s trip, the family was able to enjoy the drive without rushing to meet the car. Each of the five DC fast-charging stops fit within the allocated rest time for meals. The charging infrastructure along the Mumbai-Bhopal route was adequate for the needs of the journey. Aside from raw numbers, the trip served to demonstrate the practicality and convenience of an Indian-made electric vehicle for a family of four. Keeping the car’s cabin conditioned at all times while maintaining a good level of comfort for everyone was possible in the Mahindra XEV 9S.
Keeping the car in Range mode allowed for predictable power delivery needed to maintain a good pace on the road while also being able to keep the children entertained during the long drives. Both parents were impressed with the reduced cabin noise in comparison to many combustion cars, allowing for conversation and comfort for the children.
The cost of maintaining such a trip would be far higher in a petrol or diesel family car, making the transition to an electric vehicle more appealing to those who seek to make long drives a part of their regular routine. The Mahindra XEV 9S demonstrated its ability to keep a family of four comfortable while also being able to provide the necessary range for long trips with a minimal investment in energy and money.
The car’s powertrain management features allowed for the best possible efficiency, taking into account the needs of the passengers to maintain a comfortable temperature within the cabin. By keeping the car’s energy consumption to a minimum, the owner was able to keep the costs of the trip within reasonable limits, despite it being a family of four with all the luggage in tow.