By Onam, Kerala’s grand harvest festival, has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a time when families come together, homes are adorned with vibrant pookalams (flower arrangements), and the air is filled with the smell of traditional Sadhya feasts. Every year, my family and I immerse ourselves in the festivities, but this year, I wanted to do something different—a road trip to the picturesque hill stations of Munnar and Vagamon. The past few months had been a whirlwind of work, and a relaxing drive through Kerala’s lush landscapes seemed like the perfect way to unwind and celebrate Onam with my loved ones.
Choosing the Right Vehicle: From Diesel to Electric
With Munnar and Vagamon locked in as our destinations, the next question was which vehicle would be up to the task. Typically, for long trips, I opt for diesel vehicles due to their fuel efficiency and reliability on extended drives. Our garage at home is filled with petrol-powered cars, which are great for city commutes but not ideal for a journey through winding hill roads and longer distances.
In recent months, I’d been eyeing the updated Tata Harrier from the Pilot On Wheels fleet. A solid SUV with a robust build, it seemed like the perfect companion for a road trip. However, my busy schedule meant I hadn’t had the opportunity to test it out. So, when I finally contacted the Tata team to request the Harrier, I was disappointed to hear that it wasn’t available.
That’s when they made an unexpected suggestion—the new Tata Curvv.EV, their electric vehicle, had recently arrived in the media fleet. I’ll admit, I hesitated. The thought of taking an electric vehicle on a long drive filled me with uncertainty, particularly due to something that haunts every EV driver: range anxiety. My last experience with an electric vehicle was with the Tata Tiago EV, which performed brilliantly in city traffic but hadn’t ventured beyond urban streets. Could the Curvv handle the steep climbs and long distances of a road trip to Munnar and Vagamon?
Despite my doubts, I decided to give it a try. Maybe this Onam road trip could also be an opportunity to break free from my fears about EVs and experience the potential of electric cars on highways and hilly terrains.
First Impressions: Curvv EV in the Driver’s Seat
The Tata Curvv.EV arrived at full charge, displaying a range of around 300 kilometres. I had been hoping for closer to 400 km, based on previous media drives, but this variance could be due to the driving style of the person who had used the car before me. Range in an EV can be influenced by many factors—speed, terrain, and regeneration settings. Still, I reminded myself that this was all part of the learning curve, and I was eager to see how the Curvv would perform for our trip.
My first test was a short drive back home, about 80 kilometres away, accompanied by a close friend. As soon as we settled into the car, it was clear that Tata had put considerable thought into the Curvv’s interior design. The tall seating position offered a commanding view of the road, which made navigating Kerala’s often unpredictable traffic much easier. My friend immediately complimented the mood lighting, which gave the cabin a warm and modern feel. She was also impressed by the large sunroof that bathed the interior in natural light—a feature that would make our upcoming drive through the hills all the more scenic. The wireless charging pad, cleverly integrated into the centre console, was a thoughtful addition that kept our phones powered up without the usual tangle of charging cables.
On my end, I started experimenting with the car’s regenerative braking system. For those unfamiliar with EVs, regenerative braking is a feature that allows the car to recover energy when decelerating, which is then fed back into the battery. The Curvv.EV offers multiple levels of regenerative braking, and I toggled between them to get a sense of how they affected the car’s performance and range. In the city, with frequent stops and starts, I found that keeping the regeneration on a higher level helped conserve energy, while on the highway, I preferred a lighter setting for a smoother ride.
As we completed our errands for Onam shopping and returned home, I was pleased to see that the battery was still at 90%. This small victory gave me the confidence I needed for the longer drive ahead. Maybe, just maybe, range wouldn’t be as big of an issue as I had feared.
The Journey to Munnar: A Scenic Adventure
The next morning, we loaded up the Curvv.EV and set off for Munnar, a hill station renowned for its sprawling tea plantations, misty valleys, and cool climate. The journey from our home to Munnar spans about 100 kilometres, with most of the drive taking us through undulating roads and hairpin bends.
The traffic was heavy as we left the city, which meant I rarely exceeded 60 kilometres per hour. While I might have found this frustrating on a normal day, in this case, the slower pace actually worked to my advantage, allowing me to manage the battery more efficiently. EVs perform better in stop-and-go traffic, where regenerative braking can be used frequently, helping to conserve energy.
As we began our ascent into the hills, I could feel the strain on the battery as the Curvv.EV worked to tackle the steep gradients. However, the car never once felt underpowered, thanks to the instant torque that electric vehicles are known for. The Curvv.EV handled the winding roads and tight corners like a pro, making me forget I was even driving an EV. I began to relax into the journey, enjoying the panoramic views of tea estates stretching out as far as the eye could see.
We made several stops along the way to explore the scenic spots, particularly at Gap Road, a place famous for its breathtaking views of the valleys below. This section of the drive allowed me to test the Curvv’s.EV handling on sharp bends, and I was pleasantly surprised by its stability. The suspension was superbly tuned, absorbing every bump and imperfection in the road without compromising the comfort of my passengers. My parents, who are often sensitive to long drives, remarked on how comfortable they felt—even after hours on the road.
One of the highlights of driving an EV in the hills is the near-silent ride. With no engine noise to compete with, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the sounds of nature—the rustling of the trees, the distant calls of birds, and the occasional hum of insects. It made the journey feel more peaceful and more connected to the environment we were driving through.
Range Anxiety: A Thing of the Past?
By the time we completed our drive to Munnar and began heading back, I realized that my initial range anxiety had all but disappeared. I had grown more comfortable with the regenerative braking system, which allowed me to recover energy on the downhill sections of the drive. Depending on the terrain, I toggled between different levels of regeneration—using Level 3 on steep declines to maximize energy recovery, and switching off regeneration entirely on flatter sections to conserve momentum.
This adaptability helped me conserve more battery than I expected. By the time we returned home, the Curvv still had 45% charge remaining, with an estimated 200 kilometres of range left. I was genuinely impressed. I had started this trip with doubts about whether an EV could handle a long journey through hill stations, but the Curvv had proven me wrong.
The next morning, I took the car to a fast charger near my home to top up the battery for the second leg of our trip to Vagamon. Charging from 45% to 95% took only 45 minutes, thanks to the 60 kW fast charger, though the Curvv.EV itself can handle speeds up to 70 kW. I passed the time watching a few YouTube videos on the car’s infotainment system—something I never thought I’d be doing while charging a car.
The Vagamon Drive: Discovering the Curvv’s True Potential
With the battery topped up, we set off for Vagamon, a lesser-known hill station famous for its rolling meadows and tranquil pine forests. This time, I was driving with complete peace of mind—no lingering concerns about range or performance. The Curvv.EV instant torque made it a joy to tackle the hairpin bends and sharp corners that dotted the road to Vagamon. The car’s precise handling and agile nature made every twist and turn feel like an adventure.
What really stood out on this drive was the suspension. Vagamon’s roads are not as well-maintained as those leading to Munnar, and I encountered several stretches of broken tarmac and deep potholes. Yet, the Curvv.EV glided over these rough patches with ease. Tata Motors has clearly put in the work to ensure that the Curvv can handle rough terrain without sacrificing ride quality. The high ground clearance was also a boon, allowing me to navigate uneven roads without worry.
We spent the day exploring Vagamon, taking in the serene beauty of the pine forests and the vast meadows. The Curvv.EV spacious cabin and large windows made for a perfect viewing platform, and the panoramic sunroof allowed my family to enjoy the sights from every angle.
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Driving
After four days with the Tata Curvv.EV, I found myself looking back at the car with a sense of admiration. The Curvv.EV surpassed all my expectations, offering excellent battery management and a smooth and comfortable driving experience. From its cutting-edge features to its impressive suspension and handling, the Curvv felt like a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles. For the first time, I had truly overcome my range anxiety.
