A recent real-world drive in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh has once again highlighted the impressive long-distance capability of the Mahindra XEV 9e. An owner identified as Umang @uajain_shared details of a journey from Leh to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and back, starting with a full charge and returning without needing any intermediate top-up.
The trip began at the Thiskey IOCL charger with the battery at 100 per cent state of charge. The route took the electric coupe-SUV to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in the remote Hanle region of Ladakh at an altitude of around 4,500 metres, one of the highest observatories in the world. After reaching the destination, the vehicle returned to Leh and still retained 28 per cent SoC. This means the entire round trip was completed using roughly 72 per cent of the battery capacity under challenging high-altitude conditions that typically include steep climbs, thinner air and variable road surfaces.
Such performance is noteworthy because Ladakh’s elevation and terrain place higher energy demands on electric vehicles compared with plains driving. Regenerative braking on the descents likely played a helpful role in recovering some energy, while the overall efficiency of the XEV 9e allowed the driver to complete the demanding out-and-back journey with a comfortable buffer remaining. The presence of an IOCL charger at the starting point also underscores the gradual improvement in charging infrastructure even in remote Himalayan regions.
The Mahindra XEV 9e is offered with two battery options, the larger 79 kWh pack delivering a claimed ARAI range of 656 km and real-world figures that frequently exceed 450 km under mixed conditions. Owners have previously reported solid results on long highway runs and hill drives across India, and this Ladakh experience adds to the growing body of evidence that modern Indian electric SUVs can handle serious adventure touring when planned carefully.
For potential buyers eyeing high-altitude road trips or long-distance travel in an EV, real-world accounts like this one provide valuable reassurance. Completing a Leh-to-Hanle round trip and returning with more than a quarter of the battery still available demonstrates that range anxiety can be managed effectively even in one of India’s most demanding environments. As charging networks continue to expand and battery technology improves, journeys that once seemed ambitious for electric vehicles are steadily becoming more practical and enjoyable.
