A new year felt like the perfect excuse to put the Harrier EV to a proper test, not just around the city, but across expressways, hill roads, broken patches, and long charging halts. The plan was simple: load the family, pick the mountains, and see how an electric SUV really behaves when pushed beyond urban comfort.
The Route
Gurgaon → Kangra → Palampur → Bir → Billing → Rajgundha → Barot Valley → Palampur → Kangra → Chandigarh → Gurgaon
Charging stops along the way:
Door-to-door distance: ~1520 km
Total fast-charging cost: ~₹3,300
Charging discipline: Never charged beyond 80% SoC, since charging speeds drop significantly after that.
Efficiency & Real-World Consumption
This trip covered almost every driving condition you can think of, and the numbers tell an honest story.
In real terms, expressway speeds and hill climbs shave off roughly 80–100 km of range compared to city usage. Keeping speeds under 100 km/h noticeably improves efficiency, but EV drivers transitioning from ICE vehicles will need a mindset shift here.
Pro tip: Charge whenever you get the opportunity. Don’t be picky.
Charging Reality Check
Himachal threw a few surprises.
If this becomes a broader industry trend, manufacturers refusing to support competitors, EV adoption will suffer.
The consequence? Rolling into Palampur at just 4% battery, stuck in Tortoise Mode.
Hills, Broken Roads & Regen Magic
On mountain roads and unpaved stretches, the Harrier EV felt effortless. Instant torque makes climbs surprisingly easy, even with a full load.
The highlight?
Moments like these truly show what EVs do better than ICE vehicles.
Handling & Physics
One thing worth noting: this is a heavy SUV.
You feel the mass on twisty hill roads, both uphill and downhill. Physics can’t be cheated — especially when lugging a big battery pack. But then again, this is an EV SUV, and expectations need to be realistic.
Comfort & Practicality
As a people mover, the Harrier EV shines.
A word of caution for families:
If you think “bigger vehicle = more usable space after luggage”, think again. Wives will simply bring more luggage.
The Final Leg
The last stretch from Chandigarh to Gurgaon was a straight shot. Starting with ~73% charge, the battery was nearly depleted on arrival thanks to:
Verdict
The Harrier EV is not a sprinter — it’s a cruiser.
This road trip proved one thing clearly: EV road trips are no longer experiments — they’re just a different way of traveling.
Plan better, drive smarter, and let regen do its thing.