Low maintenance, ideal for intra-city travels- Why this EV user believes electric cars are a costly, but worthy investment

Time of India

28-04-2025

My journey with an electric SUV began in April 2020, an extraordinary time as the world was grappling with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amid lockdowns and uncertainty, I took a leap of faith and purchased a Tata Nexon EV, becoming one of the earliest
EV SUV adopters
in Coimbatore. I'm writing this not from the perspective of an EV technologist, but as a long-term user with over 1 lakh kilometres of real-world experience.
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Despite my professional background in the EV industry, driving an electric SUV daily was a different learning experience altogether. The steepest learning curve involved understanding the real-world driving range. The range displayed on the dashboard didn't always translate accurately to what I could achieve on the road. Factors like driving style, road gradients, braking habits and ambient temperature played a significant role in range fluctuation.
Over time, however, I developed a feel for the car. Today, I can predict my vehicle's actual range with a high degree of accuracy, based purely on driving and environmental conditions, and far more reliably than the software ever could.
Beyond the city
Though EVs are often viewed as best suited for urban commuting, I have taken my EV on regular drives to the mountainous terrains of Ooty. These steep climbs showcased the strong, low-end torque that EVs are known for, often outperforming
internal combustion engine
(ICE) counterparts. On the descent from Ooty to Mettupalayam, regenerative braking consistently restored over 40% of the battery charge. These trips reaffirmed that EVs are not just eco-friendly alternatives, but are powerful, reliable and road-trip ready.
Low maintenance, high satisfaction
In five years, I've clocked nearly 1 lakh km, averaging about 160 km a day. Maintenance costs? Astonishingly low. Apart from replacing all four tyres once and paying a one-time service bill of Rs.8,800, everything else was covered under warranty. Compared to ICE vehicles, which require regular oil changes, filters, and engine tune-ups, EVs offer a cleaner, simpler, and more affordable ownership experience, especially over the long term.
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Costly start, but worth it
When I bought the EV, there were no subsidies for personal electric vehicles. As a result, I paid around Rs.6 lakh more than I would have for an equivalent ICE SUV from the same brand. The initial investment was significant and difficult to justify strictly from a return on investment (ROI) perspective, at the time.
However, the savings in fuel, minimal maintenance, and long-term battery performance have balanced the scales. My battery's state of charge (SOC) still reads 100%, a testament to both the quality of battery and my slow, consistent charging practices. With falling battery prices and improved domestic manufacturing, true price parity isn't far off.
Room for improvement: software, charging, features
Despite the positives, some areas still need attention.
Software updates:
One major inconvenience is the need to visit the service centre for routine software updates. Over-the-air (OTA) updates should be standard in 2025. For a tech-forward product, this manual process is surprisingly outdated.
Range prediction:
While I've learned to interpret the displayed range, non-technical users might find it inaccurate and confusing. Enhancing the range estimation algorithm would greatly improve the user experience.
Charging challenges:
In India, poor earthing at public or ad-hoc charging spots is a recurring issue. To tackle this, I built a portable earthing kit that has helped me in many remote locations. I also carry my own extension cord and power meter, allowing me to pay fairly while charging at cafes or resorts.
Charger feedback:
Current chargers communicate problems through vague blinking LEDs. A simple display or app-based diagnostics would prevent unnecessary trips to service centres. A more user-friendly troubleshooting interface is long overdue.
Missing safety features
: Features like tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), 360-degree camera, blind spot detection, and a basic radar could have made the vehicle significantly safer, without a substantial cost increase. These are now becoming standard in ICE vehicles and should be prioritised in EVs too.
Charging habit: slow, sustainable
In five years, I have never used a DC fast charger. My routine includes home and office charging, which has proven sufficient for my needs. I believe this slow, consistent charging method is partly why my battery health remains excellent. It also highlights an important point: most EV users don't need fast charging every day. Proper planning and accessible AC charging are often more practical and sustainable.
Ideal city companion
For someone who primarily uses their vehicle for intra-city travel, I can confidently say that four-wheel personal EVs are the ideal urban solution. They are clean, quiet, responsive and cost-effective. Yes, there have been hiccups along the way, but that's part of adopting any emerging technology.
India's EV ecosystem is evolving fast. With better charging infrastructure, smarter software, and more affordable models on the horizon, EVs will become the default choice for many. My five-year journey with my EV has been nothing short of excellent, and I'm excited for the road ahead.
The Author is CEO, ARAM