A detailed travelogue shared by an electric vehicle enthusiast highlights the feasibility of long mountain journeys in an EV, specifically the Mahindra XUV400 (referred to as XEV 9E). The trip from Gurugram to Badrinath was undertaken as a birthday excursion with the goal of reaching snow-clad peaks. The planning involved identifying routes with adequate charging infrastructure. During research, the traveller discovered that GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) Uttarakhand has installed numerous DC fast chargers across the state at a highly economical rate of Rs 13 plus taxes per kWh.
The Journey and Charging Stops
The drive commenced from Gurugram at 4 AM with a 100% state of charge (SOC). The first charging halt was at the GMVN charger in Srikot, reached by 1 PM after covering 393 km. The SOC dropped from 100% to 34% on this leg, which involved mixed flat and ascending terrain up to 3000 ft. After a one-hour lunch break, the journey resumed towards Auli at 2 PM from Srikot (94% SOC). The vehicle reached Auli by 8 PM, with the SOC at 44% after covering 151 km of steep ascent from 3000 ft to 9000 ft. The Statiq charger in Auli was conveniently located near the booked resort.
Visit to Badrinath and Return
The next day, the car was charged to 80% for a trip to the Badrinath shrine. The group left Auli at 11:45 AM and reached the temple by 2:15 PM. The return to Auli was completed by 7:30 PM. This round trip of 108 km from 9000 ft to 10,000 ft and back consumed 25% battery, with an average of 4.3 km per 1% SOC. For the return journey to Gurugram, the car was slow-charged to 76% at Auli. The group departed at 5:40 AM and reached the GMVN Ganga Resort charger in Rishikesh by 2 PM, covering 252 km. This descending leg from 9000 ft to 1100 ft saw an efficient average of 11.5 km per 1% SOC. After a 45-minute stop, the final leg from Rishikesh (77% SOC) to Gurugram was completed by 8:30 PM, consuming 44% battery over 267 km
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The traveller praised the charging infrastructure by GMVN Uttarakhand and commended Mahindra’s Born Electric range for making such a mountainous road trip practical and enjoyable.
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FAQs
1. What was the cost of charging at GMVN chargers in Uttarakhand?
According to the travelogue, the GMVN DC fast chargers in Uttarakhand were priced at Rs 13 plus taxes per kWh.
2. Which electric vehicle was used for the Gurugram to Badrinath trip?
The trip was undertaken in a Mahindra XUV400 EV, referred to by the owner as the XEV 9E.
3. Where were the charging stops on the way to Auli?
The primary charging stop on the way to Auli was at the GMVN DC fast charger in Srikot. In Auli, the Statiq charger was used.
4. How efficient was the Mahindra XUV400 on mountain ascents?
During the steep ascent from Srikot to Auli (3000 ft to 9000 ft), the vehicle delivered an average of approximately 3 km per 1% of battery charge.
5. Was there a charger available near Badrinath?
The travelogue does not mention charging at Badrinath. The visit was a round trip from Auli, which had a Statiq charger near the resort.
Disclaimer: The details provided are based on a user-shared travelogue. Charging infrastructure, pricing, and vehicle performance may vary. Readers are advised to verify current conditions before planning a similar trip.