Why I’m Writing This
Planning a long trip in an electric vehicle often raises one big question: will the battery last the distance? On my recent journey, I tested this by driving the Mahindra XEV 9E for a full 300 km on a single charge along the expressway. The experience not only put the car’s range to the test but also showed how practical EVs can be for longer drives when planned well.
Link to the original tweet: https://x.com/purohit__anuj/status/1955104596319420731
The Trip in Short
- Start SoC: 89%
- Arrival SoC: 40%
- Battery used: 49%
- Distance travelled: ~300 km
- Cruising speed: ~90 km/h
- Time taken: ~3 hours 20 minutes
- Charging stops: None
- Breaks: One quick bio/stretch stop (no charging)
That’s 300 km on less than half the battery, which translates to a full-charge equivalent of around 600 km range in real-world driving.
Charging Reality: Can a 20–30 Minute Stop Add 500 km?
At my destination, I planned to plug in during lunch for 20–30 minutes. Based on the math:
- To reach 500 km range, I’d need ~83% SoC (500 ÷ 6 = 83.3%).
- From 40%, that means topping up ~43%.
Depending on the battery size:
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- 60 kWh pack: needs ~26 kWh → 30 mins at ~52 kW average.
- 75 kWh pack: needs ~32.5 kWh → 30 mins at ~65 kW average.
- 90 kWh pack: needs ~39 kWh → 30 mins at ~78 kW average.
On a 50–150 kW DC fast charger, this is realistic. The key is matching your car’s charging curve with charger power. And yes, it means I could even drive back without a full recharge.
What This Trip Taught Me
- Range anxiety is more psychological than real. Once you know your km per % SoC, the math works every time.
- Moderate speed is your friend. 80–100 km/h is the sweet spot for long-distance EV efficiency.
- Weather matters but doesn’t ruin trips. Despite heavy rains, the EV delivered consistent numbers.
- Breaks don’t have to mean charging. I stretched, refreshed, and got back without plugging in.
- Mini top-ups are powerful. A 20–30 minute stop is enough to add hundreds of km if you plan it right.
Quick Checklist for Your EV Long Trip
- Do a short local test: calculate km per 1% SoC for your car.
- Plan routes based on charger power (kW), not just availability.
- Keep a buffer: 10–15% SoC at destination is a safe target.
- Cruise steady — avoid unnecessary speed bursts.
- Use a trip planner app (like EVJoints ?).
Final Thoughts
I reached Chandigarh exactly as predicted. That’s the beauty of EVs — once you understand your car’s numbers, you can plan trips with confidence. Range anxiety disappears when real data replaces guesswork.
So, if you’ve been holding back from taking your EV on long drives, here’s my advice: trust the math, plan smartly, and go explore. Long trips in an EV aren’t just possible — they’re enjoyable.
