Long distance, no compromise EV driving in India is now a reality thanks to Zeon Charging! Drove my Hyundai Kona from Bangalore to my ancestral home near Alathur, Kerala. Total distance of 470km, done in 9 hrs including a 45min charge+30min food stop at Saravana Bhavan Vaigundam.
Started Bangalore at 3.30pm, car was fully loaded with 3 of us and a full heavy boot. Battery at 100% SoC and 393km in the console. Kept the AC on throughout the journey and didn't hold back the speeds at 110-120kph throughout.
Unrestricted driving thanks to the confidence given to me by the amazing team at @zeoncharging who kept checking on my trip progress. Reached the charging point at Saravana Bhavan, Vaigundam around 7.15pm and 250km later. Car was at 28% and had about 108km to go.
The charger, a 50kW Delta unit having 2 CCS2 connectors, is going online in a day or two on the app. Zeon guys were very gracious and helpful and didn't charge me anything for the charge since it was not officially open yet. Plugged in and my Kona started taking in 30kW initially, and went upto 32kW till 75% SoC, after which the car tapered it down to 14kW (happens normally in all EVs).
My destination was another 215km away, so I only needed about 80% charge, giving me about 300km in range. Took about 40min from 28% to 85% during which I chatted with the company guys, post which I went and had my dinner.
Finally left at 8.45pm and reached my destination at 11.45pm. Zeon guys were very gracious and helpful and didn't charge me anything for the charge since it was not officially open yet.
Final stats at the destination. Plugged in through my Brightblu charger set at 20A for a slow and steady charge, in time for my return journey! Will be stopping at the same charging point on my way back to get a top up to Bangalore.
COSTS so far: I charge using my rooftop solar at home, so I don't pay anything for charging the car at home. Zeon didn't charge me anything for the top up so didn't pay anything there. In Kerala, the cost of residential power is around Rs. 6, so will be incurring around Rs. 200.
That's my total cost for the onward journey. Rs. 200/- !
Will update regarding my return journey once I return.
Anticipating some usual extra smart comments/questions, and answering the same below:
1) Normal charging time with my 20A charger from 0-100% : 10 hours. I reach my destination, plug it in overnight, it's ready to go the next morning.
2) Range with AC: 350km, 380km without. (Both are actual tested figures)
3) NO, power is not being generated out of coal alone, we are quickly moving towards renewable sources of energy in the last 3-4 years, please look it up.
4) NO, batteries are not harmful for disposal, and can be re-purposed very easily after 8-9 years. Am using my old e2o batteries in my rooftop solar system, and is easily retaining about 80% of the charge it used to retain when new.
5) Yes mining minerals for the battery pack is messy, but still lot cleaner than regular fossil fuels.
- Akhil Venkateshwaran
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