Road Trip to Chitkul in a Curvv EV: An Electric Car Adventure
Two enthusiasts, Amit and the author, embarked on a journey to Chitkul in a Tata Curvv EV (55 kWh variant), testing the car’s capabilities and their own endurance on a hilly terrain.
The trip began on April 18, 2025, at 4 AM from Gurugram. The initial leg to Savoy Suites took 5.5 hours, covering a distance at an average speed of 70 kmph. The car was charged at a Statiq 50 kW charger for 90 minutes, costing Rs 1100.
The next charging stop was at Theog, where they used a Tata 30 kW charger. Although this stop was less than ideal due to the slower charging speed, it was necessary. The journey from Theog to Chitkul was challenging, with a steep elevation rise of ~1000m over 220 km. Despite the difficult terrain, the duo managed to reach Chitkul at 1 AM with 23% SOC remaining.
The return journey began at 8:30 AM with 93% SOC. A single charging stop was made at Kufri using an Adani 60 kW charger, which significantly reduced the charging time. The total journey covered 1300 kms, with a total charging cost of ~ Rs 3200.
This trip was a valuable learning experience, highlighting the importance of planning, the capabilities of the Curvv EV, and the efficiency of regenerative braking. The travelers concluded that while there are challenges to EV travel in hilly areas, careful planning and the right vehicle can make such trips feasible and enjoyable.
The journey demonstrated the potential for electric vehicles to be used for long-distance travel in varied terrains, provided there is adequate planning and infrastructure. The experience also underscored the value of features like regenerative braking in enhancing the efficiency of EVs during descents.
