A Reddit user has shared his long-distance EV experience on the r/CarsIndia community, and his story highlights some of the real challenges EV owners may still face on Indian highways, especially with city-focused models.
He has been using his Windsor EV for about six months, and within the city, the car performed well. He typically achieved 250–280 km on a full charge and needed to plug in only once every 10–15 days. But his first intercity trip turned out very different from his everyday usage.
Despite planning his route and identifying chargers in advance, several practical issues disrupted the journey:
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At the first charger, a car was parked in a way that blocked access, and the second cable couldn’t reach his charging port, forcing him to wait.
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Extremely hot weather and continuous AC use led to a much faster range drop. He managed only 154 km from 100% to 20%, far below his usual experience.
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He had to download five separate charging apps, complete registrations, load wallet balances, and still faced app-related failures.
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A power outage at one charging station left him stranded with a low battery and no immediate alternative.
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Overall, the trip took four extra hours, turning a simple drive into a stressful experience.
After reaching his destination, he contacted MG to check whether the battery was at fault. The company confirmed that the range drop was caused by heat, AC load, and higher highway speeds, not a technical defect. Link to the Reddit post is here.
Although the Windsor EV is one of India’s popular & top-selling electric cars with strong city performance, its first long-distance trip showed that highway travel can still be challenging.
The experience highlights gaps in charging support, heat-related range drop, and overall highway readiness.
What Other EV Owners Said on Reddit
Many replies from experienced EV users echoed the same sentiment:
EVs work exceptionally well in cities, but long-distance travel still requires planning and awareness of real-world variables. Users recommended:
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Checking PlugShare reviews before each stop to see if chargers are working.
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Preferring reliable networks like Zeon, Statiq, JioBP, or Tata Power, depending on the region.
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Keeping a buffer instead of relying solely on the displayed range.
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Planning both primary and backup chargers for every leg of a trip.
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Choosing higher-range EVs for frequent highway use or keeping an ICE car as a backup.
Balanced Reality: EVs Can Do Long Trips, With the Right Preparation
While this user had a difficult first experience, other EV owners on the same subreddit and across the country have shared successful highway trips, from 500 km runs to cross-state journeys. Long-distance EV travel in India is possible, but it depends heavily on:
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vehicle range,
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region-wise charging availability,
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weather
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driving speed
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planning and backup options
Cities and major corridors are already seeing improvement, with networks like Zeon and Statiq expanding and highway charging becoming more reliable year by year.
Key Takeaways for EV Buyers
For new or prospective EV owners, this incident highlights a few important points:
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Plan long journeys carefully with both primary and backup chargers.
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Install charging apps ahead of time and preload small balances if needed.
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Expect lower efficiency in high heat, AC use, and at high speeds.
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Avoid running the battery too low before looking for a charger.
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Compact-range EVs are best suited for city commuting; long trips demand more planning.
Final Thoughts
The Reddit user’s experience shows the current state of EV highway travel in India, excellent for cities, still evolving for long-distance use.
Infrastructure is improving quickly, and many owners report smooth long trips with the right preparation.
But for now, EV buyers should stay informed, plan, and understand the practical realities of Indian driving conditions when travelling beyond the city.
November 14, 2025 1:26 pm