The Genesis of a Dream
The narrative begins with the long-held ambition of a 91-year-old woman to travel from Delhi to Mumbai by road, a dream she had never pursued despite frequent
travel between the cities by air. Her son, a seasoned road-trip enthusiast, decides to make this a reality, choosing an electric Volvo EX30 for the journey. This choice adds a layer of novelty, as it’s also a first for him with an EV. The need for a safe, comfortable, and long-range vehicle suitable for an elderly passenger is paramount. The EX30, with its ample space for two occupants upfront, a decent 318-litre boot, and a 69kWh battery promising around 480km of range, perfectly fits these requirements, alleviating potential range anxiety. The plan is to cover the distance leisurely over five days, with multiple stops, ensuring a relaxed pace for the elderly traveler and an opportunity to assess the electric vehicle charging network along the Delhi-Mumbai corridor.
Day 1: Gurgaon to Jaipur
The journey commences on International Women’s Day, a fitting start for a woman fulfilling a decades-old aspiration. The initial leg from Gurugram to Jaipur, a distance of 267km, is intentionally kept easy. The Volvo EX30, boasting 272hp and rear-wheel drive, offers brisk acceleration, but the driver deliberately moderates speed to ensure passenger comfort and optimize range. The car's interface, a large, vertically oriented touchscreen reminiscent of Tesla, requires some acclimatization but proves intuitive, with embedded Google Maps and a useful predicted State of Charge (SOC) display aiding navigation and managing range anxiety. The smooth, wide Delhi-Jaipur highway makes for a pleasant drive. EVs excel in heavy city traffic, and Jaipur’s evening rush was no exception, with the EX30’s silent, smooth creep proving less fatiguing. Arriving in Jaipur with 17 percent SOC, the car was conveniently charged overnight at the hotel, highlighting the benefit of accommodations with charging facilities.
Day 2: Jaipur to Udaipur
The longest stretch of the trip, approximately 415km from Jaipur to Udaipur, is undertaken with a relaxed start. The traveler makes a brief stop to admire the Hawa Mahal, with the 91-year-old passenger comfortably settled in the EX30’s well-padded seat. The first significant charging experience occurs at a public station, where a planned 30-minute lunch break coincides with topping up the battery. However, the charging infrastructure presents a common challenge: unreliability, requiring restarts and causing delays. Despite these hiccups, the increasing number of chargers, often located at convenient food courts, is a positive sign. The Jaipur-Udaipur highway offers smooth cruising, and the car’s Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), particularly lane-keep assist, impress the passenger. A near-empty battery upon arrival in Udaipur, with just 6 percent SOC, underscores the demanding nature of this leg and the necessity of prior charging planning. An overnight charge ensures readiness for the next day.
Day 3: Udaipur to Ahmedabad
The 247km journey from Udaipur to Ahmedabad is anticipated to be straightforward. However, a planned charging stop at a busy food mall is thwarted by non-functional chargers, illustrating ongoing issues with public charging reliability despite network expansion. Fortunately, the EX30 has sufficient range. The driver takes advantage of a scenic, twisty section near Sirohi to test the EX30's handling. The car performs admirably, demonstrating a balanced, planted feel through the curves, a testament to its rear-drive layout and composed ride. The passenger, unfazed by the spirited driving, attests to the vehicle's stability. The arrival in Ahmedabad is brisk, with a healthy SOC remaining. The real highlight of the day is the familial warmth experienced during the stay with cousins, offering much-needed rest for the elderly traveler. Home charging via a 11kW outlet proves efficient and unobtrusive, showcasing the convenience of overnight EV charging.
Day 4: Ahmedabad to Daman
The day begins with a nostalgic visit to a childhood ancestral home, followed by the 350km drive to Daman. The initial part of the route involves slow-moving trucks on a narrow highway, leading to a charging stop at a Tata Power station. While the charger functions well, its inconvenient location at the edge of a food court, amidst construction debris, feels unwelcoming. The newly built NE4 expressway, intended for high-speed EV cruising, disappoints with its bumpy surface, forcing the driver to reduce speed and hampering the enjoyable experience of the EX30's stable ride at 120kph. The quality of the road surface is a stark contrast to the vehicle's capabilities. Daman offers a pleasant surprise with a grand reception at a hotel. Despite missing an afternoon nap, the traveler rests before dinner, marking another successful day on the road.
Day 5: Daman to Mumbai
After covering approximately 1,200km, the 91-year-old passenger remains remarkably fresh, a testament to the EX30's comfort and the journey’s unhurried pace. The final leg to Mumbai, a mere 190km, is the shortest but most traffic-intensive. The anticipated 4.5-hour drive includes a brief stop at a McDonald's with a high-speed charger, which, though not needed, is instinctively sought out by the EV driver. A significant traffic jam is encountered just 45km from the destination, but timed arrival around 1 pm avoids the worst of Mumbai’s notorious rush hour. Familiar landmarks signal the nearing end of the journey, and the drive through the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and coastal road brings a sense of homecoming. The 1,600km journey from Delhi concludes with a profound sense of accomplishment, fulfilling a significant bucket-list item for the elderly traveler.
