A real highway journey, real numbers, and real EV confidence
One of our EVJoints community members, Anuj Purohit, recently completed a Gurgaon to Lucknow to Gurgaon run in the Mahindra XEV 9e. He had documented the entire drive on Team-BHP and then gave us permission to recreate the story here so that other EV owners can benefit from the real world data.
Check out his previous Trip Diaries with lots of learning to take away: Link
What made this story even more special for us is that the entire route planning was done using the EVJoints app. All charging stations were discovered through the app, and Anuj confirmed that the power ratings, availability and status displayed on EVJoints matched what he experienced on the ground.
This narrative captures the journey, the impressive efficiency of the XEV 9e, the charging experience and several insights EV travellers can use while planning their next long highway trip.
The Journey at a Glance
• Total distance covered: 1127 km
• Total SOC used: 214%
• Real world range delivered: around 526 km per 100% SOC
• Outbound travel time: about 8 hours including a short charging stop
• Reached Lucknow with 50% SOC after topping up only 50%
• Return leg: left at 6 PM with 80% SOC and reached home at 2 AM with 20% SOC
• Total meaningful charging time across both days: under one hour
Heading Out: Gurgaon to Lucknow
The journey began at 8:30 AM from Gurgaon with about 60 kg of luggage in the boot. The plan was simple: drive comfortably and stop only when needed.
The first long stretch to ADA Toll Plaza covered 227 km using 40% SOC, pointing toward an impressive real world range of about 560 km. Even with slower state highway traffic toward the end, the efficiency remained consistent.
The first stop was at an Adani Network charger near ADA Toll Plaza. Although the unit was listed at 60 kW, it was delivering close to 40 kW. When another XEV 9e arrived, the charger split power and both cars received around 20 kW. With charging speed too low to justify waiting, Anuj unplugged within minutes and continued ahead.
The Fast Charge and Lunch Stop
The actual charging happened at another Adani Network station equipped with a 200 amp 250 kW setup. Two EVs were already plugged in and both were receiving around 90 kW consistently.
A 20 minute lunch break was all it took to raise the SOC from about 20% to 90%. This turned out to be the only meaningful charging session for the outbound journey, adding the required 50% SOC for the day.
A Controlled Efficiency Test at 90 kmph
On a flat 100 km stretch, Anuj decided to check how the XEV 9e behaves at a steady 90 kmph:
• Distance: 100 km
• SOC used: 19%
• Regen: Zero
• Estimated range: around 526 km for 100% SOC
This is extremely reassuring for EV owners who prefer constant high speed cruising. Even at what many consider a worst case highway scenario, the XEV 9e maintained strong efficiency.
Reaching Lucknow with Room to Spare
The car rolled into Lucknow at around 5 PM with 50% SOC still left.
In simple words, the XEV 9e could have completed the entire Gurgaon to Lucknow drive without any charging stop if Anuj had chosen to.
Later that evening, he topped up to 80% in about 30 minutes at a Glida charger near Lohia Garden.
The Return Journey: Lucknow to Gurgaon
The return run began at 6 PM with 80% SOC. Navigating narrow streets and diversions in Lucknow became an unexpected highlight. The 360 and 540 degree camera systems helped Anuj inch through tiny lanes where most SUVs would hesitate.
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Once the car reached open roads, the evening highway drive was peaceful. The only planned stop was the Adani 240 kW charger near Agra Toll Plaza. This charger had been offline during the outbound run, but it was active on the return.
The car plugged in and immediately started drawing around 90 kW. A 28 minute session took the SOC from the mid levels to the required buffer for the remaining journey.
Even with cold weather around 12°C and airflow at 90 kmph cooling the pack, the XEV 9e continued charging without any dips. The first 5% arrived in just 3 minutes.
The car reached home at 2 AM with 20% SOC still available.
Efficiency and Running Cost in the Real World
Across the entire 1127 km journey, the XEV 9e consumed 214% SOC, which aligns to a real world full charge range of around 526 km.
The vehicle uses around 39.4 kWh of usable battery. Based on this range, the consumption works out to around 7.49 kWh per 100 km, which is exceptionally efficient for constant high speed travel.
With an average DC tariff of Rs. 25 per kWh, the running cost works out to:
• Around Rs. 1.87 per km
• Approximately Rs. 187 per 100 km
For the entire 1127 km trip, the total energy cost was roughly Rs. 2100, which is extremely affordable for a two day intercity journey.
Why the Experience Matters
What stands out is not just the efficiency, but the predictability. The XEV 9e showed:
• Linear SOC drop that matched the EVJoints trip planner closely
• Stable high power charging up to 70%
• No sudden drops near low SOC
• Consistent long range even at 90 kmph
• Reliable temperature control in cold weather
And from the user’s feedback, the most reassuring factor was that every station discovered through EVJoints matched the power rating and status displayed inside the app, which removed all uncertainty during the trip.
Recommended Charging Stops
Onward Journey: Gurgaon to Lucknow
• Adani Network charger at ADA Toll Plaza: Quick attempt, very low output, unplugged within minutes.
• Adani Network high power 200 amp 250 kW station near Agra Toll Plaza: Main fast charging stop. SOC increased from about 20% to 90% during a 20 minute lunch break.
• Glida charger in Lucknow city: 30 minute top up to 80% after meetings.
Return Journey: Lucknow to Gurgaon
• Adani Network 240 kW charger near Agra: Only stop on the return leg. 28 minute session added the charge needed to reach Gurgaon with a comfortable 20% buffer.
Final Thoughts
This 1127 km highway run in the Mahindra XEV 9e shows how practical long EV journeys in India have become. With predictable range, low running costs, strong charging performance and accurate planning through EVJoints, a route like Gurgaon to Lucknow is no longer an experiment. It is simply another road trip waiting to happen.
To anyone wondering if EVs are ready for long trips, the answer is yes. With the right tools and mindset, EVs can do everything and more.
Would you like to share your EV story too? Drop us a message at mailto:admin@evjoints.com and become part of the growing EV community.
