EV Joints

Welcome to EVBeat – your weekly roundup of EV news in India. Week ending Oct 21, 2025 saw Kia expand its Carens Clavis EV lineup with new variants, while Mahindra’s upcoming XEV 7e (electric variant of XUV700) was spotted testing ahead of launch. Electric bus company EKA Mobility secured funds to bolster its manufacturing capacity, and Blue Energy Motors launched a heavy-duty electric truck with battery swapping functionality. Bolt.Earth partnered with Atul Greentech to supply home EV chargers with every EV sold, and Statiq launched a Rs 149 per month discount membership plan. Internationally, China announced an ambitious goal to double its EV charging capacity by 2027.

Kia Carens Clavis EV gets two new variants.

Kia India has expanded its Carens Clavis EV lineup with the introduction of new trims HTX E & HTX E (ER) priced at Rs 19.99 lakh & Rs 21.99 lakh respectively. The announcement comes ahead of the festive season.

Kia’s 1st made-in-India EV, the Carens Clavis EV, has received an encouraging response from the market. The HTX E trim will be available with a 42 kWh battery pack, while the HTX E (ER) will be equipped with a 51.4 kWh battery pack. The new trims come with panoramic sunroof, LED lamps for all three rows, wireless charger, and two-tone steering wheel with tilt & telescopic adjustment.

Key Takeaway: Kia India has expanded its Carens Clavis EV range with new HTX E & HTX E (ER) trims priced from Rs 19.99 lakh, offering upgraded features and two battery options (42 kWh & 51.4 kWh).

Source: Hindustan Times

EKA Mobility raises Rs 500 crore to boost manufacturing capacity. 

Electric bus manufacturer EKA Mobility has raised Rs 500 crore from National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)’s India-Japan Fund. EKA Mobility intends to deploy the fresh capital to increase its manufacturing capacity, advance its R&D, improve its supply chain infrastructure, and enhance marketing efforts aimed at both domestic & international markets.

Founded in 2022, EKA Mobility’s portfolio consists of electric buses (7m, 9m & 12m variants), intercity coaches, passenger & cargo electric 3-wheelers, electric trucks (55T & 7T) and electric small commercial vehicles (eSCVs) in 1.5T, 2.5T & 3.5T categories. EKA Mobility claims that it has confirmed orders for over 3300 electric buses as part of state government procurements, municipal corporation contracts & private commercial fleets. EKA Mobility also claims to have an order book of 1000 eSCVs. Its electric bus manufacturing unit in Koregaon Bhima in Pune has a capacity of 250 electric buses per month and the company aims to double this capacity to 500 by the end of FY26.

Key Takeaway: EKA Mobility secures Rs 500 crore from NIIF’s India-Japan Fund to expand manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain capacity, supporting its growing electric bus and eSCV order book.

Source: Economic Times

Bolt.Earth partners with Atul Greentech for home EV chargers. 

EV charging company Bolt.Earth has announced a strategic partnership with electric 3-wheeler company Atul Greentech. As per the agreement, Bolt.Earth will install home EV chargers with every Atul Greentech EV purchase. The tie-up also includes customer education programs to promote safe EV charging practices.

Bolt.Earth will manage installation & maintenance of EV chargers along with providing real-time charging data and passive-income opportunities for EV charger hosts.

Key Takeaway: Bolt.Earth partners with Atul Greentech to install home EV chargers with every EV purchase.

Source: ACKO Drive

Mahindra XUV700 EV spotted testing. Launch soon. 

Mahindra is gearing up for the launch of XEV 7e (the electric version of XUV700). The electric SUV was recently spotted testing at a public EV charging station. The upcoming EV will likely adopt the same cabin layout as XUV700͏, plus some exclusive EV features͏. Major expected highlights consist of large dual/triple screen display, Level 2 Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS), panoramic sunroof and integrated connected car tech.

The Mahindra XUV 700 EV/XEV 7e will be likely positioned below the XEV 9e.

Key Takeaway: Mahindra prepares to launch the XEV 7e, an electric version of the XUV700, featuring a spacious cabin, ADAS, and connected car tech, positioned below the Mahindra XEV 9e.

Source: Times Now

Blue Energy Motors launches heavy-duty electric truck & battery swapping tech.

Blue Energy Motors (BEM) has launched a heavy-duty electric truck featuring battery swapping technology. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis presided over the launch, which also included the Mumbai-Pune electric corridor. The new truck is built specifically for Indian conditions. Key features include an Energy-as-a-Service model designed to reduce upfront capital costs, minimize charging downtime and deliver the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) in the industry with the highest payload capacity in its category. Initial pilot tests on the Mumbai-Pune electric corridor demonstrate an operating cost of Rs 25 per km, which is half that of a similar payload diesel truck, which costs approximately Rs 50 per km.

BEM has signed an agreement with the state government of Maharashtra to establish a new manufacturing facility capable of producing 30,000 electric trucks annually, backed by an investment of Rs 3500 crore. The company has already secured orders for 10,000 electric trucks, indicating strong market demand for electric freight solutions.

Key Takeaway: Blue Energy Motors has unveiled a heavy-duty electric truck with battery swapping tech and an Energy-as-a-Service model, offering half the operating cost of diesel trucks. Backed by a Rs 3500 crore investment, BEM will set up a 30,000-unit plant in Maharashtra.

Source: Economic Times

Statiq introduces subscription plan for EV charging. 

EV charging network Statiq has introduced a membership program called ‘Statiq Miles’. For a monthly subscription fee of Rs 149, customers will get a flat 10% discount on every charging session across Statiq’s EV charging network.

The subscription program is designed to boost user engagement in the EV charging space, encouraging frequent usage & loyalty. Statiq claims an EV charging network of more than 10,000 EV chargers across over 100 cities at highways, petrol pumps, hotels, malls & more.

Key Takeaway: Statiq launches a membership program offering a 10% discount on all charging sessions for Rs 149 per month, aiming to boost user loyalty across its 10,000+ EV charger network in 100+ cities.

Source: Manufacturing Today

China unveils plan to double EV charging capacity by 2027. 

China has unveiled a plan to double EV charging capacity by the end of 2027. China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), together with 5 other ministries, have issued measures to expand EV charging network coverage.

By the end of 2027, China aims to establish a nationwide network of 28 million EV charging facilities, sufficient to meet the demand of more than 80 million EVs on road. Key measures include upgrading urban fast-charging networks, expediting charging facility developments along highways, and tackling rural charging infrastructure shortages.

Key Takeaway: China aims to double its EV charging capacity by 2027 with a nationwide network of 28 million chargers to support over 80 million electric vehicles.

Welcome to EVBeat – your weekly roundup of EV news in India. Week ending Oct 14, 2025 saw major strides in India’s EV ecosystem: BillionE & Hindalco launched Gujarat’s 1st heavy-duty electric freight corridor, Refex Mobility expanded its electric cab operations to Delhi-NCR, and BMW India posted record EV sales growth. MG launched a special Windsor EV edition, Tata’s Curvv EV was inducted in its fleet by Himachal Police, and Nikol EV partnered with Tata Motors for 1000 new fast-charging stations for commercial vehicles. Also, Duracell announced entry into the UK EV charging market with an EV charging network. 

BillionE & Hindalco launch electric freight corridor in Gujarat.

Billion Electric Mobility (BillionE), an Electric Mobility-as-a-Service (eMaaS) platform, in partnership with Hindalco’s copper division, has launched Gujarat’s 1st heavy-duty electric freight corridor. The 160km route connecting Dahej & Asoj marks a major milestone in the state’s transition towards sustainable industrial logistics. A fleet of 15 Ashok Leyland electric trucks, each with 55 ton capacity, will be deployed in phases. 10 EV trucks will be deployed immediately, followed by 5 more within three months.

To ensure smooth operations, BillionE will use ChargeZone’s EV charging network with stations at Karjan & Bharuch along the route. Upon successful induction, additional electric trucks will be deployed across Vapi, Daman & Silvassa, further expanding Gujarat’s electric freight network.

Key Takeaway: Billion Electric Mobility & Hindalco have launched Gujarat’s first 160km heavy-duty electric freight corridor, deploying Ashok Leyland EV trucks and ChargeZone charging support to drive zero-emission industrial logistics.

Source: Manufacturing Today India

Electric cab company Refex Mobility expands operations to Delhi-NCR.

Clean corporate mobility platform Refex Mobility has launched its operations in Delhi-NCR. With this launch, Refex Mobility plans to deploy over 400 new electric cabs in Delhi-NCR within the next 3 months, further strengthening its pan-India presence.

Refex already operates 1400 electric cabs across Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad & Mumbai. The company serves over 70 corporate clients across sectors including telecom, consulting, BFSI & hospitality. Some of its clients include Airtel, PwC & Taj Hotels.

Key Takeaway: Refex Mobility has expanded to Delhi-NCR with plans to deploy 400 new electric cabs, strengthening its pan-India presence.

Source: Hindustan Times

BMW announces record EV sales, with the iX1 becoming its highest-selling EV.

BMW India has achieved record EV sales in the first nine months of the calendar year 2025 (CY25). The automaker consolidated its position as the top-selling luxury EV brand in the country, delivering 2509 electric BMW & Mini models between January & September, a 246% increase year-on-year. The iX1 electric SUV was the company’s highest-selling EV, followed by the i7 electric sedan.

EVs now contribute around 21% of the total car sales of BMW India. The company plans to increase this share to 30% by 2027.

Key Takeaway: BMW’s EV sales surged 246% to 2509 units between Jan-Sep 2025, making it India’s top luxury EV brand, with plans to lift electric sales share from 21% to 30% by 2027.

Source: The Times of India

MG launches Windsor EV ‘Inspire’ edition for Rs 16.65 lakh.

MG has launched a limited-edition version of the Windsor EV. Called the Windsor Inspire edition, it has been priced at Rs 16.65 lakh. With MG’s unique ‘Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)’ scheme, the car can be bought for Rs 12.64 lakh. For more information about MG’s BaaS scheme, visit MG Battery Rental.

The Windsor Inspire comes with exclusive exterior, interior & feature upgrades, while under the hood, it retains the 38 kWh battery pack setup as the Windsor. Cosmetic changes of the new Windsor EV Inspire Edition include a dual-tone paint job (with a black finish for the roof & ORVMs), and ‘Inspire’ badges. Inside, it features dual-tone black & red upholstery, and ‘Inspire’ lettering on the front headrests. Bookings for the new Inspire edition are open, with deliveries beginning from October 15.

Key Takeaway: MG has launched the Windsor EV Inspire Edition at Rs 16.65 lakh, featuring dual-tone styling and interior upgrades while retaining the 38 kWh battery.

Source: Autocar India

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Himachal Pradesh Police inducts Tata Curvv EVs in its fleet.

Himachal Pradesh State Police has inducted the Tata Curvv EV into its policing fleet. The update was shared on social media with visuals of the Curvv EV.

Tata Curvv EV is India’s 1st mainstream coupe electric SUV. It comes in two battery options: 45 kWh (range: 502 km) & 55 kWh (range: 585 km). Tata Motors has rolled out attractive festive discounts on the Curvv EV this October, with benefits valid from October 3 to 21, 2025. The car is available with benefits up to Rs 1.90 lakh (which includes a green bonus of Rs 70,000, exchange/scrappage benefits worth Rs 30,000, corporate discounts of Rs 10,000 and Tata loyalty benefits worth Rs 50,000). For more details about the car, visit Tata Curvv EV Battery Range & Charging.

Key Takeaway: Himachal Pradesh Police has added the Tata Curvv EV, India’s 1st mainstream coupe electric SUV, to its fleet, coinciding with Tata Motors festive offers of up to Rs 1.90 lakh valid till October 21, 2025.

Source: Times Now

Nikol EV signs an agreement with Tata Motors for a dedicated EV charging network for small commercial vehicles.

EV charging company Nikol EV has announced plans to expand its EV charging network for electric small commercial vehicles (eSCVs). This decision aims to make EV charging for commercial EVs more accessible & convenient for a wider customer base.

As part of this effort, Nikol EV has signed an agreement with Tata Motors. Together, the two companies will establish 1000 new public fast charging stations across key cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Panaji, Indore & Bhopal. These EV charging stations will be strategically developed at major logistical hubs to help electric fleet operators improve operational efficiency.

Key Takeaway: Nikol EV & Tata Motors will jointly set-up 1000 fast charging stations across major cities to boost EV adoption and improve operational efficiency.

Source: Lokmat Times

Global alkaline battery company Duracell to launch EV charging network in UK.

Popular battery manufacturer Duracell has launched its CPO platform ‘Duracell E-Charge’, and will roll-out a network of fast EV charging stations in UK. The company will invest more than £200 million over the next decade. The first 6 Duracell E-Charge stations will go live in 2025, with a major expansion planned in 2026. The company released a statement saying, “Duracell has always been a trusted companion in people’s lives, delivering long-lasting performance & uncompromising safety. Now, Duracell E-Charge will be powering their journeys.”

All chargers in the network will run on 100% renewable energy and offer clear, upfront pricing, a move the company says is intended to set a new standard for EV charging in the UK. 

1 EV, 2 Friends, 3 Days – An 1800 km EV Road Yatra

It all began with the most dangerous of inventions in Indian history: the 10-second phone call. “Ujjain chalte hai kya?” “Ha, chal.”

And boom – an epic 3-day, 1800 km road trip was born. Before my friend could even hang up, I had already added Indore, Omkareshwar, and Maheshwar into the mix. And just when he thought the plan was set, I threw in Grishneshwar as well into the party – added literally 10 minutes before departure. Planning? Overrated. Optimism? Unlimited.

Route Planning – A PhD in Google Maps & Charging Infrastructure

Armed with EVJoints, Statiq, and Google Maps as my holy trinity, I transformed into a walking-talking EV charging station directory. At one point, I was reciting charger names, location coordinates, charger speeds, and even their owner’s probable blood groups as if I was preparing for Kaun Banega Crorepati: EV Edition.

Now, while my car can swagger around with 500+ kms on a single charge, I chose to act like that relative who carries five umbrellas for a drizzle. I pegged my magic number at 400 kms per stop. Thus began my epic quest of mapping stops, backups, and backups for the backups – because if Murphy’s Law had a charging cable, it would plug itself into my car. The “extra” 100 kms I left untouched became my insurance policy against life’s little curveballs: chargers being occupied, breaking down, getting ICE-d, or, who knows, abducted by aliens under the bright blue sky. By the time I was done, I had a laundry list of 16 charging points ready, like a paranoid squirrel hoarding nuts. To level up, I roped in Charles Nadar (the EVJoints founder and my temporary crisis counselor), who cheerfully handed me another dozen options and a crash course on the app. The interface was so slick that even my thumb felt important while planning the drive.

Three routes wrestled in my head (Ahilyanagar-Sambhajinagar, Sinnar-Samruddhi & Nashik-Malegaon), but Route Option 2 – via the shiny new Samruddhi Expressway won. Why? Toll-free for EVs, silky-smooth tarmac, and a perfect playground to test out Adaptive Cruise Control. Distance-wise, it was like going from Pune to Delhi via Goa, but hey, Experiences > Kilometers.

Day 1 – Pune → Grishneshwar → Indore (via Shirpur)

Start Time: 4:30 AM Start Point: Pune End Time: 10:15 PM End Point: Sayaji Indore Hotel

Highlight: Testing Adaptive Cruise Control & bribing a waiter for a bike ride back to the charger.

We began at 4:30 AM sharp(ish). Plan was simple: drive in shifts, nap while the other drove. Reality: neither of us slept a wink. Instead, we kept up a non-stop commentary praising the XEV9e like proud parents at a school play.

Breakfast and the first charge stop came at Hotel Mayur Express, where the car juiced up while we feasted on some South Indian delicacies. Post that, the Samruddhi Expressway blew our minds. I set ACC to 115 km/h, and the car did its magic – auto lane change included. Honestly, it felt less like driving and more like being chauffeured by Iron Man.

After darshan at Grishneshwar (and a mandatory wait for an hour during aarti), we drove on. Lunch was delayed till Shirpur, where we found a 120kWh DC fast charger and a restaurant… but the restaurant was 1 km away. We walked there enthusiastically, but flat-out refused to walk back post-meal. We bribed a waiter to drop us back on his EV scooty. EV road trips = jugaad + generosity.

We finally rolled into Indore at 10:15 PM, battery topped, spirits high, and stomachs ready for 56 Dukan. Chilled out at 56 Dukan for about an hour while binging on Panipuri & other fast foods before crashing for the day just before midnight.

Day 2 – Indore → Ujjain → Omkareshwar

Start Time: 9:00 AM Start Point: Indore End Time: 11:30 PM End Point: MPT Temple View, Omkareshwar

Highlight: Losing the schedule to temple queues & the “Hum Upar Hai Ya Neeche?” game

The day started well – with a heavy breakfast. Mahakaleshwar Darshan queues ate up 90 minutes, Kaal Bhairav added another hour, and by 4 PM our “tight schedule” had been quashed to a million pieces.

Scan the barcode and download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 EV charging stations across various networks.

Hungry and tired, we gave up on speed-running temples and decided to stay at Omkareshwar overnight. A quick detour into Phoenix Citadel Mall, Indore gave the car some much-needed electrons while we treated ourselves to a fresh Keventers cold coffee.

The Bheru Ghat drive at night was comedy gold. Dense foliage, pitch darkness, and my friend clueless about whether we were going uphill or downhill due to the faint gradient and weird ghat sections with as many straights as a State Highway. He kept asking & I kept increasing his confusion by retorting every two minutes – “Hum upar hai ya neeche?” He had no clue and I didn’t bother telling him, for a straight 10 kilometers. We laughed like two schoolboys until we finally reached Omkareshwar at 11:30 PM.

Day 3 – Omkareshwar → Maheshwar → Pune

Start Time: 8:00 AM Start Point: Omkareshwar End Time: 7:30 AM next day End Point: Pune Highlight: Saree shopping, torrential rain, and a traffic jam that lasted longer than most Bollywood movies.

Darshan done, breakfast demolished, and off we went to Maheshwar. Ahilyabai Holkar’s palace and fort were stunning, and of course, I couldn’t escape without buying the world famous Maheshwari sarees for mom and wife. (Top tip for husbands: never return from Maheshwar empty-handed.)

The return drive was smooth… until Manchar, where torrential rain + traffic jam = 3 hours for moving 2 km. Trucks were driving everywhere – left, right, wrong side – you name it. Our final recharge at Mayur Express was like a last energy bar in a video game.

We finally reached Pune at 7:30 AM, after three days, countless laughs, endless queues, and about as much food as one could possibly fit into an EV trip.

Charging Stop Logbook (Because EV = Excel + Darshan)

Date CPO Type Charger Speed Location Duration Start SoC End SoC Cost

12-Sep-25 Charge Zone DC 30 kWh 30 kWh Mayur Express, Pun-Nashik Highway 0:59:49 71% 100% ₹ 561.44

12-Sep-25 Nikol EV DC 120 kWh G R Charging Station, Shirpur 1:08:11 22% 100% ₹1,725.67

13-Sep-25 Glida DC 30 kWh Phoenix Citadel Mall, Indore 1:20:18 27% 100% ₹1,353.01

14-Sep-25 Tata Power DC 60 kWh The Rajhans Hotel, Julwania 0:52:11 62% 100% ₹779.70

15-Sep-25 Charge Zone DC 30 kWh Mayur Express, Pun-Nashik Highway 1:22:27 24% 100% ₹1,539.78

Total

5:42:56

–

₹7982.73*

* Total cost includes the pre-trip 100% cost as well

Trip Stats at a Glance

Total Distance: 1,800 km

Duration: 3 Days

Charging Stops: 5 (DC Fast Charging)

Total Charging Time: ~5 hrs 43 mins

Total Energy Consumed: ~159 kWh*

Average Efficiency: ~7 km/kWh*

Charging Cost: ~₹5,170 (adjusted after deducting value of 79% battery left at trip end)

Average Cost per km: ~₹2.9/km (after adjustment)

Lessons from 1800 KMs in an EV

Range Anxiety is Real, but Manageable – The first 200 kms of a charge are for driving, the next 200 are for staring at the SOC %, and the last 100 are for deep breathing exercises.

Backups are Your Best Friends – One charger on the map means “hope,” two means “probable,” and three means “now you’re talking.” Always have backups for your backups.

EV Planning > Wedding Planning – Between mapping chargers, checking connector types, and plotting food stops, I planned this trip better with EVJoints Trip Planner than some people plan their marriages.

Time is Elastic at Charging Stops – “Just 30 minutes to 80%” always magically turns into an hour once you factor in queues, coffee breaks, and small-town uncles asking, “Kitna deti hai?”

You Become an EV Ambassador – Be ready to give crash courses on battery life, charging speeds, and subsidies to curious strangers. Bonus points if they mistake you for a company rep.

Driving Becomes Zen-Like – Smooth torque, no engine noise, and long stretches without gear shifts. Until a charging app glitches – then it’s instant rage yoga.

Food & Charging Go Hand-in-Hand – McDonald’s, CCDs, and highway dhabas are no longer just eateries, they’re sacred charging shrines. The fries taste better when your battery fills up too.

You’ll Return Smarter (and Slightly Smugger) – By the end, you know more about charging infrastructure, road networks, and power grids than you ever cared to. And yes, you secretly enjoy telling people: “Oh, I did 1800 kms in an EV.” (Electric Flex Pro Max)

So there you have it – 1 EV, 2 friends, 3 days, 1800 kms, 3 Jyotirlingas, 1 fort, countless food stops, and 5 charging pitstops.

If there was one lesson from this trip? In an EV road trip, Darshan queues drain more energy than the battery ever will. ?

One of our EVJoints users, Hari Krishna, recently set out on a five-day monsoon EV road trip across Shivamogga and Chikmagalur in his Tata Nexon EV. What makes his journey special is not just the 2,000-plus kilometres he covered, but the ease with which an electric car handled ghats, rain and even a few impromptu detours. We’re sharing his experience here to reassure fellow EV owners—and anyone still on the fence—that EVs aren’t limited to city commutes; with the right planning, they’re perfectly at home on long, scenic road trips too.

EV Owner: Hari Krishna EV: Tata Nexon EV Empowered+ 45 kWh Trip dates: 26–31 August Route: Mahabubnagar → Bellary → Shivamogga → Chikmagalur → Hyderabad

Intro – Chasing Clouds on Battery Power

Western Ghats in the rains are pure magic. This loop from Mahabubnagar to Shivamogga and Chikmagalur promised forests, heritage temples, misty hilltops and hidden waterfalls — and I wanted to see how my Nexon EV would hold up over ~2,000 km. Spoiler: it was effortless, and the journey itself felt cleaner, quieter, and more connected to the landscape.

Day-by-Day Journey

Day 1 – Mahabubnagar → Bellary → Shivamogga

I set off early with a full charge (100% SOC), drizzle tapping on the windscreen. The stretch till Bellary was uneventful except for a few patchy sections between Kurnool and Bellary.

Stop & Charge: Statiq M&M 60 kW at Bellary (via Statiq app). Out of range anxiety, I topped up again for 15 minutes at Shivaganga even though I could have managed without it — first lesson: trust the car’s estimate.

By evening, I rolled into Harsha The Fern, Shivamogga. A warm welcome, plush room, and best of all, dual Relux DC chargers (120 & 60 kW) right in the parking lot (~₹20/kWh). Dinner was room-service comfort food while rain misted the windows.

Day 2 – Jog Falls, Ikkeri & Nipli

Morning SOC: 98%. The road toward Jog Falls curled through lush ghats and dripping forest. Jog itself thundered even in drizzle — the kind of sight that humbles you. On the way back, I wandered into Ikkeri Temple and Nipli Falls, detouring on a whim. That’s the beauty: EV or ICE, a road trip is still about following curiosity.

Returned to Harsha The Fern with ~32% SOC, plugged in over dinner, and slept to the sound of rain.

Day 3 – A Slow Day at Sringeri

Charged back to 97% and glided toward Sringeri. Temple bells, river breeze, and the calm of a centuries-old matha; I lingered. There’s a direct road from Sringeri to Chikmagalur, but I decided to return and start fresh next day. Simple, content, dry clothes, good coffee.

Day 4 – Heritage & Hills → Chikmagalur

SOC: 95% at start. The highway unwound past sugarcane and tiled roofs to Amruteshwara Temple at Amritapura — quiet, intricate Hoysala stonework. Then Halebeedu and Belur, each a gallery in granite.

By dusk, I reached Hotel Aadrika, Chikmagalur (Jio-BP 60 kW charger, ~₹19/kWh). Ate at the hotel — hot dosas while rain lashed the courtyard. Checked into a Treebo, functional but next time I’ll explore other stays.

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Day 5 – Mullayanagiri & Baba Budangiri, then Homeward

Pre-dawn, 96% SOC. The climb to Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri was surreal: fog so thick I could barely see 10 feet, waterfalls tumbling right by the road, clouds wrapping the car. It felt like driving inside a dream.

After lunch, I charged back to 98% at Aadrika, bid goodbye to the hills, and began the long glide back.

Return Stops:

BPCL Bommagondanakere 120 kW (~₹14 incl GST)

Attempted Statiq Kurnool (access glitch)

Voltran Beechupalli 60 kW (~₹20/kWh)

Reached Hyderabad early in the morning, tired but grinning. The Nexon never missed a beat.

What I Felt on This Trip

EV travel isn’t about “range anxiety” when chargers are well-placed — it’s about range awareness.

Locals were curious and welcoming. Hotel staff asked questions, some posed for photos with the car.

The quiet of an EV in the hills made me notice birds, rain, temple bells far more than engine noise ever would.

Spontaneous stops — Ikkeri, Amritapura, Mullayanagiri — felt just as natural as with any petrol car.

Trip Stats (for the EV nerds)

Total Distance: ~2,024 km

Total Charging Cost: ~₹5,465 (~34% of petrol cost at 16 km/l)

Average Efficiency: ~7.8 km/kWh (DC heavy)

Primary Charging Networks: Relux, Jio-BP, BPCL, Voltran, Statiq

Highest Single-Session SOC Drop: 98% → 32% (Jog Falls loop)

Key Learnings

Trust your SOC – modern EVs predict range accurately.

Apps matter – EVJoints for trip planning, PlugShare for fallback, OEM apps for live status.

Carry an AC travel adapter – hotels are often happy to help.

Weather adds spice – drizzle and fog made the ghats unforgettable.

Charging costs are a fraction of ICE fuel spend — this entire run was cheaper than one big restaurant bill.

Closing Thought

As the wipers swept aside yet another cloud at Mullayanagiri, I realised the EV wasn’t holding me back — it was bringing me closer to the journey. Silence, rain, and winding ghats: the Western Ghats belong on every EV owner’s bucket list.

At EVJoints, we believe long EV trips don’t require extreme range—just smart planning with the right trip tools.

Using EVJoints and PlugShare, I mapped the entire route in advance — identifying charging stops that aligned perfectly with my meal breaks and rest points. The plan was simple: drive, explore, charge, and enjoy the journey without worrying about range.

The route? Bengaluru → Hampi → Davangere → Sulekere → Davangere → Bengaluru. Total distance covered: 1,218.4 km.

Drive Details

AC Usage: 70% of the trip (set at 24–25°C)

Average Speed: 90–100 km/h (higher on national highways, lower on state highways and night drives)

Tolls: 18 tolls crossed (annual FASTag pass helped!)

No Location Operator SOC (From → To) Cost (₹)

Hiriyur ZoneCharge 27 → 100 754.66

Hospete JioBP 49 → 100 533.55

Hulikere Statiq 25 → 90 737.00

Davangere ZoneCharge × TataEV 21 → 100 705.79

Sira Zeon 50 → 78 360.74

End SoC: 24%

Total Charging Cost: ₹3,091.74

During my first stop at Purohit Hotel, Hiriyur (ZoneCharge), all EV spots were occupied, and one space was even blocked by an ICE car since the parking area was full. It’s a reminder for ICE vehicle owners to avoid parking in EV-designated spots — these chargers are often the only lifeline for EV users on long routes.

Every charger worked smoothly, though the speed and tariff varied slightly across networks. I planned the entire trip using the EVJoints app, cross-verified it with PlugShare, and charged via respective CPO apps. For my next trip, I’ll probably rely only on EVJoints and CPO apps — the experience was seamless and accurate enough to skip extra verification.

Performance & Efficiency

Over 1,218 km, the Nexon EV LR consumed approximately 167 kWh (as recorded from chargers), translating to an average 7.3 km/kWh efficiency. Even with AC running for most of the trip and highway cruising speeds around 90–100 km/h, the Nexon handled the journey confidently.

Learnings from the Trip

Plan your route and charging stops in advance. Using a trip planner like EVJoints made the journey effortless — I could align my charging breaks with meals and rest stops perfectly.

Keep a small buffer at every stop. Even if you have multiple charging options, real-world conditions like queues or slow chargers can impact your schedule.

EV travel is about rhythm, not rush. With proper planning, charging breaks turn into refreshing pit stops instead of interruptions.

Metric Value

Total Distance 1,218.4 km

Total Energy Used ≈ 167 kWh

Average Efficiency 7.3 km/kWh

Total Charging Cost ₹3,091.74

Average Cost per km ₹2.54

Total SoC Cycles Used ~220% (≈ 2.2 full charges of 45 kWh)

End SoC 24%

Charging Stops 5

Primary Planning Tool EVJoints App

This trip reinforced my confidence in taking EVs on long journeys. With better infrastructure, reliable charging partners, and planning tools like EVJoints, range anxiety truly feels like a thing of the past.

At EVJoints, we believe long EV trips don’t require extreme range — just smart planning with the right tools.

Welcome to EVBeat – your weekly roundup of EV news in India. Week ending Sep 30, 2025 saw multiple developments in the electric mobility space. Volvo made headlines with the launch of its EX30 electric SUV at a festive price of Rs 39.99 lakh, while Tamil Nadu joined hands with Relux Electric for 500 EV charging stations in the state. On the electric two-wheeler front, Simple Energy raised $10 million to expand its retail footprint, Matter listed its Aera electric motorbike on Amazon & Flipkart, and Kinetic rolled out its first indigenous LFP battery under Range-X. The week also marked VinFast partnering Central Bank of India for EV financing and Ashok Leyland signing a battery technology deal with China’s CALB Group, signaling the growing scale of India’s EV transformation.

Volvo EX30 launched in India at Rs 39.99 lakh. 

Volvo India has launched a new electric SUV, the EX30, at an ex-showroom price of Rs 41 lakh. As part of a festive offer, customers who pre-book before October 19, 2025, can get the SUV at Rs 39.99 lakh.

The Volvo EX30 comes with a 69 kWh NMC battery pack which gives a range of 480 km. The EX30 supports DC fast-charging at up to 153 kW, topping-up the battery from 10-80% in about 27 minutes. Volvo is also providing an 11 kW home charger as standard along with the car. The EX30 can accelerate from 0-100 km/hr in 5.3 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 180 km/hr. The electric SUV has a 5 star Euro NCAP (crash) rating. The car is imported to India as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) unit and is assembled locally (at the automaker’s Hosakote plant near Bengaluru).

Key Takeaway: Volvo has launched the EX30 electric SUV in India at Rs 41 lakh (at Rs 39.99 lakh as part of festive offer). It has a claimed range of 480 km, fast charging capabilities and top safety features.

Source: The Times of India

Relux Electric to set-up 500 EV charging stations in Tamil Nadu. 

State-owned Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd (TNGECL) has announced a partnership with Relux Electric to set-up 500 EV charging stations across the state.

The collaboration will begin with a feasibility study to identify suitable government-owned sites for the charging stations.

Key Takeaway: Tamil Nadu has partnered with Relux Electric to set up 500 EV charging stations across the state.

Source: The Hindu

Simple Energy raises $10 million to expand showroom network.

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler company Simple Energy has raised $10 million in fresh funding. Around 80% of this funding will be used to expand Simple Energy’s network of showrooms & service centres across the country. At present, the company has 53 showrooms across India. With these funds, the company plans to increase this number to 100 by December 2025 and further expand to 150 stores by March 2026. The remaining funds will go towards R&D.

Key Takeaway: Simple Energy has raised $10 million to expand its retail network to 150 stores by March 2026 while also boosting R&D.

Source: Economic Times

VinFast partners with Central Bank of India for EV financing. 

VinFast India has signed an agreement with Central Bank of India to provide car financing through its showroom network. Bank representatives will be available at all VinFast showrooms to provide onsite finance support. As per the agreement, customers will enjoy tailored financing solutions, attractive interest rates, flexible repayment options, zero processing fees, exclusive offers and priority services.

The tie-up comes as VinFast kicks-off its India operations with the launch of the VF6 & VF7 electric cars.

Key Takeaway: VinFast India has partnered with Central Bank of India to offer tailored, zero-processing car financing for the newly-launched VF6 & VF7.

Source: ET Auto

Scan the barcode and download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 EV charging stations across various networks.

Kinetic’s Range-X rolls out its 1st LFP battery. 

Range-X, the battery arm of Kinetic, has announced the launch of its first LFP battery from the company’s Ahilyanagar facility. AIS 156 certified, Range-X claims the LFP battery is built for safety & longevity. The initial units of the battery will be powering the Kinetic DX EV. This roll out will mark a significant step towards establishing indigenous battery supplies for both electric two & three-wheelers. Also, Range-X aims to position the Ahilyanagar facility as a scalable, automated source, fulfilling heightened demand in the future.

This LFP battery launch closely follows the launch of the Kinetic DX, priced between Rs 1.12 lakh – Rs 1.18 lakh. The electric scooter comes with Range-X’s 2.6 kWh LFP battery which gives a range of 116 km.

Key Takeaway: Kinetic’s Range-X has launched its 1st LFP battery, debuting in the new Kinetic DX EV. This marks a significant step towards indigenous, scalable battery production for two & three-wheelers in India.

Source: HT Auto 

Matter Aera electric motorcycle now available on Amazon & Flipkart.

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Matter has announced that its Aera e-motorbike will now be available for purchase on Amazon & Flipkart, expanding the distribution channels for the electric bike. The availability coincides with Amazon’s Great Indian Festival & Flipkart’s Big Billion Days sale. The Ahmedabad-based Matter is offering benefits of up to Rs 50,000 on the shopping apps, bringing the Aera’s effective price to Rs 1.55 lakh.

The Matter Aera comes with a 5 kWh battery pack which gives a range of up to 172 km.

Key Takeaway: Matter has made its Aera electric motorcycle available on Amazon & Flipkart festival sales with benefits up to Rs 50,000.

Source: Autocar Professional, ET Auto

Ashok Leyland signs 20 year agreement with a Chinese company for lithium-ion battery tech. 

Ashok Leyland has signed a long-term agreement with China’s CALB Group to build domestic capabilities in lithium-ion batteries. Initially, Ashok Leyland will import cells from CALB and assemble them into battery packs in India, before moving towards localized manufacturing. The company will first use these packs in its own EVs but expects to expand supply to other automakers within a few years.

The company has earmarked more than Rs 50,000 crore in investment over the next decade to develop lithium-ion batteries, not only for its own commercial EVs but also for electric two & three-wheelers, electric cars & battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Key Takeaway: Ashok Leyland has partnered with China’s CALB Group to develop lithium-ion battery capabilities, starting with cell imports and local pack assembly. Backed by a Rs 50,000 crore investment over the next decade, the company aims to expand into multi-segment EV batteries and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

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