A new owner of the Mahindra XUV 9e attempted an ambitious 880-kilometer trip with his complete family – five adults, two kids, and a lot of luggage over the weekend. The destination? Udaipur in Rajasthan – where temperatures hovered around 42°C during this time of year. And even though we did this on a long drive, the experience turned out to be everything but turbulent, thanks to the great performance of this electric SUV.

On this first leg of the journey, the driver traveled 436 km on the highway, using only 74% of the battery’s state of charge (SoC). That’s a big number for any EV, let alone with a full load. During this time, he took a brief coffee break and added a mere 13 kWh of DC fast charge in just 16 minutes. The vehicle was driven on power saving mode, at a steady highway speed 85 to 90 km/h, and the overall average speed for the trip was about 55 km/h, which is pretty respectable, especially in national highways, despite the traffic and breaks.

The car proved exceptionally efficient. At the end of the 436 km leg, it still had 14% SoC remaining. If we extrapolate this performance, the vehicle could reach as much as 560 kilometers on a full charge in these conditions. That’s an impressive number by any measure for an EV and speaks to how well the Mahindra XUV 9e is set up for open-highway motoring.

What’s even more impressive is how quickly the car charges with DC fast charging (DCFC). The owner also mentioned that the car was pulling in charge at 22 kW even while sitting at 98% SoC, an outlier scenario in the world of EVs, but a sign of potential. “Standard operating procedure for EVs is to drop Charge Rate significantly beyond 80% State of Charge in order to protect Battery Heath, and control temperature.” However, it appears that the XUV 9e performs well on fast charging throughout its life, so it should make the perfect companion for long road trip situations where short top-ups on the go can be crucial.

For EV users, the watered-down general advice is to unplug at 80% when fast charging to save time, since the last 20% of charging generally takes disproportionately longer. Yet, this car acts in direct opposition to the convention. The charging curve on the Mahindra XUV 9e seems well-optimized, meaning drivers can get every last drop of range without slow charging rates towards the tail end.

By ensuring good planning the stops take no longer than a couple of 20-minute fast-charging sessions adding up to over 1,000 kilometers in a single day. That level of convenience is what EV community has been waiting on — a vehicle that marries range, efficiency, and fast-charging capabilities — while not making the operator compromise comfort or performance.

The family on this trip stayed relaxed during the flight, with most of them sleeping peacefully in the big cabin. It says a lot not only about the battery and drivetrain but also about the car’s ride quality throughout two- and three-lane hybrids of the interstate, and its general highway behavior.

They also shared a photo highlighting the speeds kept during the drive — a steady and consistent pace helped aid the high efficiency. It also helped provide a relaxed and comfortable ride at hot summer temperatures — driving under it, so up to 100 km/h, the vehicle was doing the equivalent of –energy conservation.

This review, in the real world, captures what many EV lovers have been wishing for — a long-distance, fast-charging, truly electric SUV that can take on a real world road trip, family and luggage, without the horror of range anxiety. And by the looks of this experience, the Mahindra XUV 9e could very well be the game-changer some of the folks were waiting on.

Article By
Sourabh Gupta

Anyone looking forward to buying an electric vehicle this April, can avail exciting offers from Tata Motors on its portfolio of electric vehicles. These discounts, which can reach up to ₹1 lakh, are redeemable on both the MY24 and MY25 versions of their EVs. It should be noted that these incentives vary according to model and variant, and sources in the dealership have indicated that they may vary slightly according to the location.

This month also features some of the biggest discounts on the Tata Tiago EV. The XT MY24 variant comes with the maximum savings of ₹1 lakh. The ZX+ variant of the same model year is eligible for discounts of up to ₹70,000. Offers are available on the XE and XT trims, the range of which varies between ₹55,000 to ₹75,000 depending on the dealership. Even the MY25 versions of the Tiago EV aren’t excluded from the offer, receiving ₹50,000 off across all variants, except the top-spec XZ+ variant, which isn’t included in this promotion.

Tata has also rolled out attractive offers on its Nexon EV, one of the most popular EVs in the country. The benefits of up to ₹40,000 available on the MY24 models across all variants. The Green bonus is therefore combined with a scrappage bonus. Customers can swap in an old vehicle and get a discount on a newer, cleaner model. The MY25 variants do not include straight cash discounts, However, buyers can still benefit from a ₹30,000 exchange or scrappage bonus and a loyalty bonus of up to ₹50,000. This could make the MY25 Nexon EV a good pick for current Tata owners looking to upgrade.

Another significant offer here is the Tata Punch EV, which is quite a new sedan and is fast adapting due to the present day commuter sort. As per the variant and the type of standard charger, the MY24 Punch EV is offered with a variable range of discounts. Variants with a 3.3 kW charger — namely, the Smart and Smart+ trims — are eligible for discounts of up to ₹45,000. Meanwhile, the rest of the MY24 range equipped with a 3.3 kW charger can avail discounts of up to ₹70,000. Buyers opting for the higher-spec 7.2 kW charger can avail of the maximum discount in this range, with savings going up to ₹90,000. The MY25 Punch EV models now come with a flat discount of ₹50,000 across all trims, further sweetening the deal for a relatively new player in the EV space.

In April, Tata’s newly launched flagship electric vehicle (EV), the Curvv, is also on offer. This means the MY24 variants of the Curvv EV have no shortage of a ₹70,000 discount on them, making them a real incentive for those seeking a premium electric experience. MY25 models pack in value with ₹30,000 worth of scrappage bonus and ₹50,000 worth of loyalty bonus. Hence, for anyone in search of a stylish, forward-facing electric SUV, it turns out to be a good buy.

The signed deals are regarded as components of Tata Motors’ comprehensive plan to accelerate EV adoption across the nation while also preserving its dominance within the electric mobility domain. As competition heats up and customers’ preferences evolve, such discounts could turn undecided buyers and speed the transition to electric vehicles. With an EV lineup spanning the compact Tiago EV to the range-topping Curvv EV, Tata has a clear offering to a wide range of consumers, and current offers are only sweetening the deal.

Actual discounts will vary by dealership and region, however. As such, customers should consult with their local dealers regarding specific figures and availability. The offers from Tata Motors in April serve as an excellent reason to make the shift to electric mobility today, be it for a first time EV buyer or someone who was waiting to make an upgrade.

Article By
Sourabh Gupta

The British government has softened its strict targets for electric vehicle (EV) production in a bid to help its home-based auto industry, which is now facing the economic weight of U.S.-based tariffs. This is meant to relieve pressure on automakers who have been battered by a 25% levy on imported cars introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 3. With markets rocked by fears of a broader trade conflict and slower global growth, British officials were seeking to ease concerns for car makers that depend on exports.

We’re reporting the following changes in the EV mandate: fines will be reduced for manufacturers missing electric vehicle sales targets, while low-volume makers such as Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren will be exempt. The government is still committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by the end of 2030, but it has now agreed to allow the sale of full hybrids and plug-in hybrids through 2035, meaning vehicles such as the Toyota Prius and Nissan e-Power can still be sold. This change gives the auto industry added flexibility without completely backtracking on the U.K.’s long-term goals for emissions.

British industry, particularly manufacturing aimed at producing luxury and premium cars, has taken a powdering from the U.S. shortage of tariffs. After the European Union, the United States is the second biggest export market for British-made cars. In 2022 alone, UK factories sent more than a million cars, valued at around £7.6 billion ($9.79 billion), across the Atlantic. A disruption in this trade pipeline, therefore poses significant risk to the financial health of this sector.

Jaguar Land Rover, one of the country’s biggest carmakers, heightened industry anxiety when it said it was temporarily suspending shipments to the U.S. The company intends to suspend deliveries for a month as it seeks ways to absorb, or offset, the new costs imposed by the American tariffs. This surprise announcement fuels the emerging debate over how the UK government can better help the sector during this difficult period.

The industry’s response to the British government’s fresh EV strategy was one of satisfaction. But others, such as Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), believe bolder steps are needed. Hawes noted that carmakers employ about 200000 people directly, with many more in supply chains, and more needs to be done to ensure the long-term viability and global competitiveness of the industry. International trade volatility, harsh environmental regulations, and changing consumer preferences are forcing automakers to require significant support to manage the road ahead.

The same marginal flexibility is being rolled out across Europe. The European Commission just proposed to give automakers a gentler timeline to comply with its vehicle CO2 emissions targets, stretching the adjustment period from one to three years. Such measures reflect the dawning realization in governments that the green transition in transportation must take account of the economic and geopolitical realities.

Heidi Alexander, the transport minister, emphasized that the U.S. tariffs had added new urgency to a government consultation on EV rules already underway. She also said the United Kingdom needed to act fast to protect its businesses from rising international pressures. The British government is said to be considering various measures to relieve the pressure and has even discussed striking a trade agreement with the United States that could grant exemptions from the new car tariffs.

The opposition leader, Keir Starmer, made similar comments, saying over the weekend that the focus must now be on negotiating a fair trade deal with the United States that could eliminate or at least diminish the new trade barriers.

While EV sales are increasing in Britain, much of the growth has come from fleet and commercial buyers. Private consumers are also reluctant, with only one in ten sounding electric vehicle purchases for they. Weeed consumer confidence only adds to automakers’ complication, navigating today’s regulatory environment, volatile international trade policy and changing market demand all at once.

The UK government’s tempered position on EV mandates is a sign of a realistic response to these complex challenges. Though it still pushes for a cleaner transportation future, it seems to be more open to different strategies that would help keep its domestic automakers afloat in a challenging environment.

Article By
Sourabh Gupta