These are EVs I will confidently recommend to friends and family once they hit the market.
BHPian shyampsunder recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Day 1: Bangalore to MRV | Solar Charging, EV Insights & Tech Walkthrough
- Start Time: 5:15 AM
- Car: MG ZS EV
- State of Charge (SoC): 95%
The day began with an early departure from Bangalore in my ZS EV. Picked up fellow BHPian sachinnayak en route, and we started our journey toward Chennai.
We hit heavier-than-expected traffic near the Attibele toll, which cost us a bit of time, but once past it, we made brisk progress. The ZS EV returned an impressive 7.5 km/kWh efficiency for the first leg.
Breakfast & Charging – Zeon @ Vaniyambadi
Around 7 AM, we stopped at Zeon’s Vaniyambadi station for breakfast. This location has a 120 kW Mindra charger with 4 guns (each with 250A cables). I plugged in at 52% SoC and hit 96% by the time we wrapped up breakfast, just about 40 minutes.
This turned out to be a very efficient stop both for us and the car. A pic of the charger’s specs for the geeks.
Arrival at MRV
Google Maps estimated an arrival time of 11:50 AM, but thanks to smooth roads and low traffic, we reached MRV by 11:15 AM.
As we pulled in, we saw a BMW iX1 behind us, driven by fellow BHPian speedmiester. On a whim, I asked the security if EV charging was available. To my surprise, one of the guards hopped into the car and guided us to a dedicated EV parking bay.
What followed was a real delight. Mahindra has a solar-canopy-covered parking area, and we got to charge using 100% solar power. A very satisfying moment.
Was a treat to see these beauties parked in the shade as soon as we entered the main building.
Presentation & Discussion
Post registration, we had an engaging session with Mahindra’s EV leadership. The discussion touched upon the challenges of high-speed public charging, especially relevant for vehicles like the BE.06 and XEV.e9.
Mahindra mentioned that:
They are actively working with the Government of India to improve infrastructure.
They plan to invest directly in building charging networks.
Yours truly engaging with the management
Tech Walkthrough: Chargers, Batteries & Thermal Systems
The lab visit gave us a deep dive into their new-age EV platform.
The on-board charger supports 11 kW AC charging.
Given the push for time-of-day tariffs by DISCOMs, this enables convenient and cheaper charging during solar hours.
The battery has active thermal management, cooling or heating based on ambient temperature, and it’s integrated with the car’s HVAC. Remotely starting the AC also cools the battery.
Extensive battery life testing is being done via accelerated thermal and power cycling.
Wrap-Up
After a quick tea break, we concluded Day 1 at MRV. Between the solar-powered parking, transparent discussions, and deep technical dives, it was clear that Mahindra isn’t just building EVs. They are investing in doing it right.
Day 2: Driving the BE.06 at MSPT | Performance, Handling, and EV Details
Morning Drive & First Impressions
Day 2 began with breakfast at 6 AM, after which sachinnayak, speedmiester, and I made our way to Mahindra’s SUV Proving Track (MSPT). We were eager to experience the BE.06 first hand and it did not disappoint.
I started in default mode, then switched to one-pedal drive. The regen was intuitive, and I got used to it within minutes. Sport mode, as expected, brought the electric punch. Fun and immediate.
But what really stood out was the adaptive suspension. It provided a great balance by keeping the car composed in corners while also smoothing out rough patches.
I paired my phone via wireless Android Auto and played music over Spotify. The audio quality was excellent. Possibly among the best I’ve heard in a car. Clear highs, tight bass, and no distortion even at higher volumes.
Tour of MSPT & ESP Demonstration
Once at MSPT, we were taken on a guided drive around the various test tracks. One of the most memorable moments was watching the car change lanes on a μ = 0.1 low-friction surface. For a brief second, the rear slipped but the ESP caught it instantly and brought it back in line. Smooth, controlled, and impressive.
Driving the BE.06 on Track
Later, I got a chance to take the wheel again. Back in the BE.06, set to sport mode with one-pedal drive active, I went through the slalom and tight corners. The car felt planted and agile. Steering feedback was reassuring and the chassis balance was spot on.
Then came the high-speed oval, a section I had been waiting for. Both the BE.06 and XEV.e9 pulled confidently past 140 km/h. Speed masking was excellent and cabin insulation remained solid. No unpleasant wind or road noise despite the speed.
While the performance was impressive, what stood out were the thoughtful EV features:
The car supports DC fast charging even when the vehicle is on and the AC is running. A very handy touch in hot Indian summers. (Hat tip to purohitanuj for pointing this out.)
Despite running on a 400V architecture, the car delivers charging speeds comparable to premium global EVs, including some Teslas.
Final Thoughts
The BE.06 and XEV.e9 impressed not just with acceleration, which most EVs manage well, but also with their handling, road manners, and cabin refinement.
These are EVs I will confidently recommend to friends and family once they hit the market. Kudos to Mahindra for the engineering effort, and a big thanks to Team-BHP for making this experience possible.
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