Mahindra EVs have been in the market for over a year, and during this time, they have sold thousands of EVs and also launched new models like the XEV 9S. A common concern among many EV owners even today is their range and whether these EVs are suitable for long drives or adventure trips. Mahindra, along with support from the Indian Army, decided to drive the XEV 9E and BE6 to the top of Adi Kailash at 14,700 feet.
Mahindra organised a drive that started from Bareilly to Adi Kailash, where two BE6 and two XEV 9E SUVs were driven by four individuals. One of them was Mahua Duvvuri. They began driving the EVs through a variety of terrains, experiencing the driving range, ride comfort, and power of the SUVs.
The drivers were relaxed throughout the journey and took almost eight days to reach the top, as they were enjoying the views and taking breaks in between. They charged the EVs along the way, and each vehicle also had drivers from the Indian Army accompanying them.
Once they started climbing the mountain roads, they encountered rough terrains and broken patches. The Mahindra EVs performed well both on-road and off-road. They drove through riverbeds and loose mud tracks without any issues. The rear-wheel-drive setup on both EVs provided enough power and torque.
Unlike ICE vehicles, the SUVs did not face issues like a drop in performance due to low oxygen levels at higher altitudes. The battery and motor performance remained unaffected. In the video, we see them charging the EVs at both fast and slow chargers at multiple locations. The drivers mentioned that with Mahindra EVs, they didn’t worry about range, as the SUVs offered around 500 km of driving range.
Mahua and the others noticed that the EVs were losing charge faster while climbing. However, they soon had a smile on their faces when they began driving downhill, as regenerative braking started working and charging the batteries again. The distance to Adi Kailash from Bareilly is under 600 kms and that means, the group might have stopped probably only once to recharge the batteries.
They also came across a section where the road was blocked due to a small landslide. They manually moved the rocks with the help of Indian Army personnel before continuing the journey. After some time, they managed to reach the summit. The Mahindra BE6 and XEV 9E became the first electric-origin SUVs to reach Adi Kailash. It was at this point that Mahua Duvvuri realised she was the first woman to drive to Adi Kailash - and that too in an EV.
After reaching the top, the group stopped at a temple, meditated for some time, and then continued their journey back. With this initiative, Mahindra Electric proved that their EVs are not only great for highway trips but are also capable of handling adventure journeys.