Real Indian driving conditions should tell us how will the range anxiety of Tata Curvv EV compare to other EVs.
The common concern for Indian EV owners still grappling with range anxiety is the development of charging infrastructure. Tata Curvv EV promises a decent range, says how will it fare in real world Indian driving conditions is a matter of debate. Heavy traffic, extreme temperatures, a need for constant air conditioning, they all really stress an EV to its limits and will reduce its range. Others say the aerodynamic design of the Curvv might prove more efficient, reducing range anxiety. Some suggest that the absence of suitable fast charging stations all over India could mean it would be difficult to go on long drives with the car even if it goes by theory. A further consideration is how the Curvv's range will last over time, with an EV market hungry for news of a vehicle's battery degradation. Coupled with those questions, some also wonder if the Curvv's unusual shape might negatively influence its efficiency in ways we haven't thought of yet. Since the Curvv is an upcoming launch, what is your speculation on how it will perform in the range anxiety section considering how we drive and our infrastructure issues in India?
The Curvv will actually profit pretty well with range anxiety, I think. Its sleek design is expected to make it more efficient than boxier EVs — a boon that could translate into better real world range in Indian conditions.
Anxiety about range is going to be an issue no matter what. Until the Curvv has charging stations as ubiquitous as petrol pumps, whether it can go 10 km or 1000 km doesn’t matter: people will still fret.
And the real test would be summer traffic jams in Delhi or Mumbai. Well, if the Curvv can still make due in bumper to bumper traffic with the AC blasting and still have decent range, then it's a winner in my book.
The worry is about the battery degradation over time. Yes, it may have amazing range when it’s brand new, but what about a couple of years into an Indian summer, in potholed roads? That's the real question.
Mostly, Range Anxiety is just a psychological thing. People will see, once they actually own and drive the Curvv, just how much you actually get for daily use. It's literally just getting past that initial mental hurdle that that thing is bringing you.
Actually, the Curvv's range might be worse than we thought. All of those fancy electronics probably drain power faster than a standard EV, and that sloping roof may mean a smaller battery pack.
For city use it seems fine but traveling long trips might be stressful. Until we have viable, reliable fast charging networks on our highways, any EV, I am afraid, will cause road trippers to worry.
Comment