Electric Vehicle Range Explained: Will My EV Cab Make It?
Complete scientific explanation of how electric cab range works, real-world vs claimed range, what affects battery consumption, and why you'll never run out of charge on Pune-Mumbai journey.
Quick Answer: Yes, Your EV Cab Will Make It!
For Pune to Mumbai Airport (150 km):
- Kia Carens EV range: 452 km (you'll use 150 km, arrive with 302 km remaining = 67% battery)
- BYD E-MAX 7 range: 530 km (you'll use 150 km, arrive with 380 km remaining = 72% battery)
- 500+ trips completed, ZERO mid-journey charging stops required
💡 Bottom Line: You have 3x more range than needed. EV cabs are safer than diesel cabs for long journeys (no risk of running out of fuel on highway).
Table of Contents
EV Range Basics: How It Works
What Is EV Range?
EV Range is the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a fully charged battery before it needs recharging. It's equivalent to asking "how far can a diesel car go on a full tank?"
Simple Formula:
Range (km) = Battery Capacity (kWh) ÷ Energy Consumption (kWh/km) × Efficiency
How EVs Store and Use Energy
Battery Pack Structure
- • Kia Carens EV: 70 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
- • BYD E-MAX 7: 71.8 kWh Blade Battery (LFP)
- • Battery is mounted in floor (low center of gravity)
- • Contains hundreds of individual cells
- • Thermal management keeps optimal temperature
Energy Flow During Drive
- • Battery → Motor (electricity powers wheels)
- • Motor converts 90%+ of energy to motion (diesel: 35%)
- • When braking: Motor → Battery (regen)
- • AC, lights, infotainment use small % of battery
- • Computer optimizes energy usage in real-time
Understanding Battery Percentage
100% battery = Fully charged, maximum range available
80% battery = Typical "full" charge for daily use (extends battery life)
50% battery = Half range remaining, still plenty for most trips
20% battery = Low battery warning, time to charge soon
10% battery = Very low, reduced performance (turtle mode)
0% battery = Not actually empty! 5-10% reserve for safety
Pro Tip: Our EV cabs start each Pune-Mumbai trip with 90-100% charge and arrive with 60-70% remaining. We never let battery go below 40% on passenger trips.
Real-World vs Claimed Range: The Truth
Why Are There Two Different Ranges?
When manufacturers advertise EV range, they use standardized test conditions (ARAI in India, EPA in USA, WLTP in Europe). Real-world driving has more variables, so actual range is typically 85-90% of claimed range.
| Vehicle | ARAI Claimed Range | Real-World Range (Our Data) | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Carens EV | 452 km | 380-400 km | 84-88% |
| BYD E-MAX 7 | 530 km | 450-480 km | 85-91% |
Why Real-World Range Is Lower
Test Conditions vs Reality
ARAI tests are done at constant 40-60 km/h with no AC, on flat roads, with minimal load. Real driving includes highway speeds, AC usage, hills, traffic, and passengers.
Speed Effect
Expressway speeds (90-110 km/h) consume more energy due to air resistance. At 100 km/h, range is 10-15% lower than at 60 km/h.
Climate Control
AC in summer or heating in winter uses 10-15% of battery capacity. Passengers expect comfort, so AC is typically on.
Driving Style
Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste energy. Smooth driving improves range by 5-10%.
Why Lower Real-World Range Is Still Plenty
For Pune-Mumbai (150 km):
- • Kia Carens EV real-world range: 380 km → You'll use 39% of battery → Arrive with 61% remaining
- • BYD E-MAX 7 real-world range: 450 km → You'll use 33% of battery → Arrive with 67% remaining
- • Even in worst case (heavy traffic, full AC, monsoon), you'll still arrive with 50%+ battery
The "lower" real-world range is still 2.5-3x more than you need for the journey!
8 Factors That Affect EV Range
Understanding these factors helps explain why range varies. Our professional drivers optimize all of them for maximum efficiency.
1. Speed (Biggest Factor)
Higher speed = exponentially more air resistance = more energy consumption.
| Speed | Energy Consumption | Estimated Range | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 km/h (city) | 16 kWh/100km | 440 km | Best |
| 80 km/h | 18 kWh/100km | 390 km | -11% |
| 100 km/h (expressway) | 20 kWh/100km | 350 km | -20% |
| 120 km/h | 24 kWh/100km | 290 km | -34% |
Our Practice: We maintain 90-100 km/h on Pune-Mumbai Expressway (legal speed limit 100 km/h). This balances time and range perfectly. At this speed, 150 km journey uses ~30 kWh (30% of 70 kWh battery).
2. Air Conditioning Usage
AC compressor uses battery power. Impact varies by outside temperature and AC setting.
Range Reduction:
- • Mild weather (20-25°C): 5-8% reduction
- • Hot summer (35-40°C): 12-15% reduction
- • AC off completely: Maximum range
- • Fan only (no cooling): 2-3% reduction
For Pune-Mumbai Trip:
- • Without AC: ~140 kWh used (35% battery)
- • With AC: ~155 kWh used (39% battery)
- • Difference: Only 4% battery!
- • Still arrive with 60%+ remaining
Important: Modern EV AC systems are very efficient. Don't sacrifice comfort! The 10-15% range reduction still leaves massive buffer for Pune-Mumbai journey.
3. Outside Temperature
Battery chemistry works best at 20-30°C. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold) reduce efficiency.
| Temperature | Battery Efficiency | Range Impact | Pune-Mumbai Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 10°C (winter) | 85-90% | -10 to -15% | Rare in Pune/Mumbai |
| 20-30°C (optimal) | 100% | Best | Oct-Feb, mornings |
| 30-40°C (hot) | 92-95% | -5 to -8% | March-May afternoons |
| Above 40°C (very hot) | 88-92% | -8 to -12% | Rare, peak summer midday |
Good News: Both Kia and BYD have excellent thermal management systems. Battery is kept at optimal temperature automatically. Temperature impact is minimal in Indian conditions.
4. Terrain (Hills & Slopes)
Uphill driving uses more energy. Downhill driving regenerates energy (unique EV advantage!)
⛰️ Uphill (Energy Drain)
- • Motor works harder against gravity
- • Steep climb: 20-30% more consumption
- • Lonavala ghat climb (Pune side): Uses extra 10-12 km range
⬇️ Downhill (Energy Recovery)
- • Regenerative braking captures energy
- • Long descent: Recover 15-20% of used energy
- • Lonavala ghat descent (Mumbai side): Recovers 8-10 km range
Pune-Mumbai Balance: You climb Lonavala ghats (drain), then descend on Mumbai side (regenerate). Net impact is nearly zero! Route is well-balanced for EVs.
5. Driving Style
❌ Inefficient Driving:
- • Rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts)
- • Hard braking (wastes kinetic energy)
- • Frequent speed changes
- • Aggressive lane changes
- Impact: 15-20% more consumption
✅ Efficient Driving:
- • Smooth, gradual acceleration
- • Anticipate traffic (coast to slow down)
- • Maintain steady speed (use cruise control)
- • Max regenerative braking setting
- Impact: Optimal range achieved
Our Drivers: All our professional drivers are trained in efficient EV driving. They optimize range without compromising passenger comfort or journey time.
6. Passenger and Luggage Weight
Heavier vehicle = more energy to move. However, impact is surprisingly small.
| Load Scenario | Extra Weight | Range Reduction | For 150 km Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty (driver only) | 0 kg | Baseline (100%) | 33% battery used |
| 2 passengers + luggage | ~180 kg | -2 to -3% | 34% battery used |
| 4 passengers + luggage | ~300 kg | -3 to -5% | 35% battery used |
| Full load (7 passengers + luggage) | ~450 kg | -5 to -7% | 36% battery used |
Takeaway: Even with 7 passengers and full luggage, impact is only 5-7% (20-25 km less range). You'll still arrive at Mumbai Airport with 57-60% battery remaining. Weight is not a concern!
7. Tire Pressure & Condition
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance = more energy needed to move.
Impact of Tire Pressure:
- • Optimal pressure (36-38 PSI): Best efficiency
- • 5 PSI under-inflated: 2-3% range loss
- • 10 PSI under-inflated: 5-6% range loss
- • Worn tires: Additional 2-3% loss
Our Maintenance:
- • Tire pressure checked before every trip
- • Maintained at manufacturer specs
- • Tires rotated every 10,000 km
- • Replaced when tread depth < 3mm
Our Practice: Fleet maintenance ensures optimal tire condition at all times. This factor is controlled and negligible in our professional service.
8. Auxiliary Systems (Lights, Infotainment, USB)
Other electrical systems use battery but impact is tiny compared to propulsion.
| System | Power Draw | Range Impact (150 km trip) |
|---|---|---|
| LED Headlights | 100W | < 1 km |
| Infotainment + Speakers | 50-80W | < 1 km |
| USB Charging (2-3 devices) | 30-45W | < 0.5 km |
| Wipers (intermittent) | 80W | < 1 km |
| Total All Auxiliary | ~300W | < 3 km (< 1%) |
Bottom Line: Use all the comforts! Charge your phone, play music, use lights - combined impact is less than 1% on journey. Enjoy the ride!
Factors Impact Summary
High Impact
Speed (-20 to -34%)
Moderate
AC (-10 to -15%)
Temperature (-5 to -12%)
Driving Style (-15 to -20%)
Low Impact
Weight (-3 to -7%)
Tires (-2 to -6%)
Minimal
Auxiliaries (< -1%)
Worst case (all factors against you): -50% total range reduction.
Even then: 400 km range → 200 km usable → Still 50 km buffer for Pune-Mumbai!
Pune-Mumbai Airport: Detailed Range Analysis
Real Trip Data: 500+ Journeys
Kia Carens EV
BYD E-MAX 7
✅ Key Insight
In 500+ trips, we have NEVER arrived with less than 50% battery remaining.
That's 200+ km range still available - enough for entire return journey!
Pune-Mumbai Journey: Segment-by-Segment Analysis
Segment 1: Pune to Khandala (60 km)
Mostly flat → Uphill climb in ghats
• Battery used: 15-17% (due to uphill climb)
• Speed: 80-100 km/h average
• Terrain: +350m elevation gain (Pune 560m → Khandala 910m)
Segment 2: Khandala to Panvel (60 km)
Downhill descent → Flat expressway
• Battery used: 8-10% (regenerative braking on descent)
• Speed: 90-110 km/h (fast expressway section)
• Terrain: -350m descent (Khandala 910m → Panvel 560m)
• Regen recovery: ~8-12 km range added!
Segment 3: Panvel to Mumbai Airport (30 km)
City traffic → Airport approach
• Battery used: 7-9%
• Speed: 40-80 km/h (variable traffic)
• Terrain: Flat, sea level
• Stop-and-go traffic (more regen opportunities)
Different Scenario Comparisons
| Scenario | Conditions | Battery Used | Arrival % | Range Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Case | Early morning, no traffic, mild weather, no AC | 28-30% | 70-72% | 270-280 km |
| Typical Case | Normal traffic, AC on, comfortable speed | 33-36% | 64-67% | 240-260 km |
| Heavy Traffic | Rush hour, frequent stops, AC on full | 36-39% | 61-64% | 230-250 km |
| Worst Case | Heavy monsoon, cold AC, extreme traffic, 7 passengers | 42-48% | 52-58% | 200-220 km |
Notice: Even in the absolute worst case scenario, you still have 200+ km range remaining. That's 33% more than the return journey needs!
Regenerative Braking: Free Extra Range
What Is Regenerative Braking?
When you slow down in a diesel car, friction brakes convert kinetic energy into heat (wasted). In an EV, the motor acts as a generator, converting that kinetic energy back into electricity and storing it in the battery. You literally create range while slowing down!
How Much Energy Can You Recover?
- • Gentle slowdown (coasting): Recover 10-15% of kinetic energy
- • Moderate braking: Recover 30-40% of kinetic energy
- • Long downhill (like Lonavala ghats): Recover 60-70% of potential energy
- • City stop-and-go traffic: Recover 20-25% average
Regen Braking on Pune-Mumbai Route
Uphill: Pune to Lonavala (Energy Drain)
• Climbing from 560m to 910m elevation (350m gain)
• Uses extra ~25 kWh of energy (15% of battery)
• Range display drops faster than usual
Downhill: Lonavala to Panvel (Energy Recovery)
• Descending from 910m to 560m elevation (350m loss)
• Regenerates ~18 kWh back into battery (10% of battery)
• Range display increases or drops much slower
• Net cost of entire ghat section: Only 5% battery!
Real Example from Our Fleet:
Trip on Dec 15, 2024 (Kia Carens EV):
• Started Pune with 98% battery
• Reached Khandala (after uphill) with 82% battery (16% used for 60 km)
• Descended to Panvel, arrived with 75% battery (only 7% used for next 60 km)
• Regen braking recovered approximately 8-10 km of range on descent!
Comparing: EV vs Diesel on Ghats
❌ Diesel Car on Ghats
- • Uphill: Uses extra fuel (engine works harder)
- • Downhill: Uses friction brakes (wastes all energy as heat)
- • No energy recovery possible
- • Net effect: Ghats increase fuel consumption by 15-20%
✅ EV on Ghats
- • Uphill: Uses extra electricity (motor works harder)
- • Downhill: Motor becomes generator (recovers 60-70% of energy)
- • Free energy added back to battery
- • Net effect: Ghats increase consumption by only 5-8%
Pune-Mumbai route with its balanced up-and-down ghats is actually ideal for EVs!
EV vs Diesel: Range & Refueling Comparison
| Aspect | EV (Kia Carens) | Diesel (Ertiga) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Range | 390-400 km | 600-700 km | Diesel |
| Range for Pune-Mumbai | 150 km (38% of range) | 150 km (25% of tank) | EV (more buffer) |
| Refuel/Recharge Time | 30-40 min (DC fast) | 5 min (petrol pump) | Diesel |
| Refuel/Recharge Cost | ₹280 (full charge) | ₹3,500 (full tank) | EV (12x cheaper!) |
| Cost per 150 km | ₹105 | ₹800-900 | EV (8x cheaper) |
| Stations on Route | 8-10 fast chargers | 50+ petrol pumps | Diesel |
| Range Loss in Traffic | Minimal (regen braking) | High (idling wastes fuel) | EV |
| Hill Climb Efficiency | Energy back on descent | Energy wasted on descent | EV |
| Range Anxiety | Some (new technology) | None (familiar) | Diesel |
| For Pune-Mumbai Trips | Perfect! 2.5x buffer | Also works fine | EV (cheaper, cleaner) |
Honest Assessment: For maximum range (500+ km) or fastest refueling, diesel wins. However, for the 150 km Pune-Mumbai trip, EVs are better suited - you have massive range buffer, much lower cost, and regenerative braking actually improves efficiency on ghat sections. The "range anxiety" concern is unfounded for this route.
Range Anxiety Myths Busted
Myth #1: "EVs can't make long trips"
Reality: Modern EVs (400-530 km range) easily handle "long trips" by Indian standards. Pune-Mumbai is medium-range (150 km). EVs regularly do Delhi-Jaipur (280 km), Mumbai-Goa (580 km with one charge stop), Bangalore-Chennai (350 km) without issues.
Myth #2: "Batteries drain faster in real world"
Reality: Real-world range is 85-90% of claimed (not 50% like some believe). Kia Carens EV claims 452 km, delivers 380-400 km. That's only 12-15% lower, not drastically different. Modern battery management systems are highly accurate.
Myth #3: "AC will kill the battery"
Reality: AC reduces range by 10-15% (40-50 km on 400 km range). For Pune-Mumbai, that's only 15-20 km difference. You'll arrive with 55-60% battery instead of 65-70%. Still massive buffer! Modern EV AC systems are efficient.
Myth #4: "You'll get stranded with no charging stations"
Reality: Pune-Mumbai Expressway has 8-10 DC fast charging stations (Lonavala, Khandala, Talegaon, Panvel, Navi Mumbai). However, with 60%+ battery remaining on arrival, you never need to charge en route. Charging infrastructure is a non-issue for this route.
Myth #5: "Traffic jams will drain the battery"
Reality: EVs are more efficient in traffic! When stationary, EV uses zero energy (diesel idles and wastes fuel). When crawling, regen braking recovers energy on every slowdown. Heavy traffic may add 10 minutes to journey time but only 2-3% extra battery drain.
Myth #6: "Cold weather will reduce range dramatically"
Reality: In extreme cold (below 0°C), yes, range drops 20-30%. However, Pune-Mumbai temperatures rarely go below 15°C. In Indian winter (15-25°C), range reduction is only 5-8%. Not a concern for our region. Summer heat (35-40°C) also has minimal 5-10% impact due to good thermal management.
Myth #7: "Battery percentage is inaccurate"
Reality: Modern EVs (2023+) have highly accurate battery management systems. Display shows battery % within 2-3% accuracy. Range estimate adjusts based on your recent driving pattern, AC usage, and terrain. After 500+ trips, we trust the display completely.
The Truth About Range Anxiety
"Range anxiety" is psychological, not technical.
For Pune-Mumbai (150 km) with 400+ km range EVs, running out of charge is as likely as running out of fuel in a diesel car with 3/4 tank. It doesn't happen.
After your first EV trip, you'll realize the anxiety was unfounded and wonder why you worried!
What If Battery Runs Low? (Hypothetical Emergency Plan)
Important Disclaimer
This section is purely theoretical. In 500+ trips and 75,000+ km driven, we have NEVER had a low battery emergency. However, transparency is important, so here's what would happen in an extremely unlikely scenario:
Battery Warning Levels
20% Battery Remaining (~80 km range)
• Yellow warning on dashboard
• "Low battery - charge soon" message
• Full performance still available
✓ Still 30 km more than needed for arrival!
10% Battery Remaining (~40 km range)
• Orange warning, urgent tone
• "Charge immediately" message
• Vehicle suggests nearby charging stations
• Full performance still available
5% Battery Remaining (~20 km range)
• Red critical warning
• Some features disabled to conserve power
• Performance slightly reduced
2% Battery - "Turtle Mode"
• Maximum speed limited to 40-50 km/h
• Still drivable for 8-10 km
• Enough to reach nearest charging station
Emergency Charging Options
DC Fast Charging Stations on Route:
- • Talegaon: 35 km from Pune (Tata Power, Shell Recharge)
- • Lonavala: 65 km from Pune (Multiple options)
- • Khandala: 70 km from Pune (Jio-BP)
- • Panvel: 115 km from Pune (IOCL, Tata Power)
- • Navi Mumbai: 130 km from Pune (Shell, Ather)
Charging Time (DC Fast Charge):
- • 10 min: +60-80 km range (emergency top-up)
- • 20 min: +120-150 km range (enough for rest of journey)
- • 30 min: +200-250 km range (80% charge)
Our Emergency Protocol:
1. If battery drops to 25% (highly unlikely), stop at next charging station
2. 15-minute top-up adds 100+ km range
3. Customer informed, no extra charge for waiting
4. Total delay: 15-20 minutes max
Reality Check
In 500+ trips, battery has never dropped below:
52%
Lowest arrival % (extreme conditions)
200+ km
Minimum range remaining
0
Number of mid-journey charges
The emergency charging scenario is purely theoretical. It hasn't happened and won't happen with our 2.5-3x range buffer and professional fleet management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an EV cab make it from Pune to Mumbai Airport without charging?
Absolutely yes! Pune to Mumbai Airport is 150 km. Our Kia Carens EV has 452 km real-world range and BYD E-MAX 7 has 530 km range. That means you'll arrive with 65-70% battery still remaining. We've completed 500+ trips without a single mid-journey charging stop.
What is the real-world range of electric cabs?
Real-world range (actual driving) is 85-90% of ARAI-claimed range. Kia Carens EV: ARAI 452 km → Real-world 380-400 km. BYD E-MAX 7: ARAI 530 km → Real-world 450-480 km. Factors like AC usage, speed, and weather reduce range by 10-15% from claimed figures.
What factors affect electric vehicle range?
Main factors: Speed (faster = more drain), AC/heating usage (reduces 10-15%), weather (cold/hot affects battery), driving style (aggressive braking wastes energy), terrain (uphill uses more, downhill regenerates), passenger load (heavier = more consumption), and tire pressure (low pressure increases drag).
Does AC reduce electric car range significantly?
AC usage reduces range by 10-15% (about 40-50 km on 400 km range). However, this is already factored into our planning. On Pune-Mumbai (150 km), even with AC on full, you'll still have 200+ km range remaining at arrival. Modern EV AC systems are very efficient.
How does regenerative braking work in EV cabs?
Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy back into electricity when slowing down. Instead of wasting energy as heat (like regular brakes), EVs send power back to battery. On Pune-Mumbai ghats (Lonavala hills), regen braking can recover 15-20 km of range during downhill sections.
What happens if EV cab battery runs low during journey?
This has never happened in our 500+ trips (we always maintain 40%+ buffer). If it hypothetically did: EV would enter 'turtle mode' (reduced power but still drivable), we'd use DC fast charging stations on route (30 min for 200+ km), multiple charging stations exist between Pune-Mumbai, and professional drivers monitor battery constantly.
Is EV range affected by passenger weight and luggage?
Yes, but minimally. Extra 300 kg (4 passengers + luggage) reduces range by approximately 3-5% (12-20 km on 400 km range). For Pune-Mumbai, this means arrival battery drops from 65% to 60% - still very safe margin. Weight impact is much less than in diesel cars.
How accurate are EV range displays?
Modern EV range displays (like in Kia Carens and BYD E-MAX 7) are very accurate, typically within 5-10%. They calculate based on recent driving patterns, current battery state, AC usage, and terrain. Our drivers trust the display and it has proven reliable in 500+ trips.