Electric vehicles have skyrocketed in significance over the past decade, particularly in response to global issues like climate change and pollution. EVs require no fossil fuels to run, and therefore emit zero harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. To promote the adoption of EVs, September 9 was designated ‘World EV Day’ five years ago by sustainability-focused companies Green.TV and ABB Group, and is recognised worldwide.
On the fifth iteration of World EV Day, let’s take a look at some of Autocar India’s most notable achievements in the all-electric mobility space.
1. Mercedes Benz EQC clean energy charging
Hydro, wind and solar energy were the only means of charging we used
In 2021, we set out on a journey in the Mercedes-Benz EQC to explore how truly "green" EVs can be when powered by renewable energy only; at present, coal is the primary source of energy production. We departed from the Mercedes-Benz facility in Chakan with a full charge, heading to Tata Power’s Khopoli hydroelectric plant, Agaswadi wind farm and Mulshi solar farm.
Along the way, we investigated clean power sources – hydro, wind and solar – that could sustainably fuel EVs in India. While the EQC couldn’t be charged directly from the hydro grid since it mixes with the main grid, we were able to charge the SUV via a 15A plug at Tata Power. However, we did tap charging power directly from wind turbines and solar panels for the EQC. Ultimately, this trip showed us that our EVs could soon be truly emissions-free – not just at the tailpipe, but across the entire power chain.
2. Porsche Taycan Kashmir to Kanyakumari road trip
Nearly 4,500km in a performance EV
2022 saw us take one of our most ambitious roadtrips to date: 4,467km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in a Porsche Taycan. Despite challenges like landslides in Jammu, flooded roads in Punjab, and power outages at certain charging spots, the Taycan handled the journey with ease. On one of the most efficient legs, the Porsche EV delivered 7.1km/kWh, working out to an indicated range of 475km.
Comfort mode was the default setting, but we did have lots of fun in some stretches courtesy of the Taycan’s Sport Plus drive mode. Up to 225kW of fast charging bolstered convenience, and total charging expenses tallied up to just Rs 15,422 – cheaper than fuel for an equivalent petrol car. More than just distance, the trip proved that combining sports car-like performance with electric efficiency works perfectly in real-world conditions, and that the Taycan is more durable than you may think.
3. Pininfarina Battista India top speed record
1900hp, quad-motor hypercar achieved a 358.03kph top speed
Back in early 2023, we set a new Indian top-speed record with the 1,900hp Pininfarina Battista electric hypercar at the NATRAX high-speed oval near Indore. Achieving an impressive v-max of 358.03kph, the Battista blitzed past the previous record of 332.20kph, which was also set by us in 2016 in an Audi R8 V10 Plus.
The Battista top-speed run also ended up establishing new world records for a production car: 0-300kph in 10.49 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 8.55 seconds, all verified by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).
4. Hero Vida V1 Pro longest distance in 24 hours record
The e-scooter travelled just shy of a whopping 1,800km
We teamed up with Hero MotoCorp in 2023 to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by an e-scooter in 24 hours. Using the Vida V1 Pro with easy-to-swap removable batteries, we covered a whopping 1,780km at Hero’s Centre of Innovation and Technology near Jaipur.
The endurance challenge relied on swift battery swaps and flawless coordination, with the pit crew achieving 38 battery changes in under 20 seconds – quite impressive considering the extreme heat, rider fatigue, and complexity involved. Moreover, the Vida V1 Pro ran flawlessly throughout, handling the gruelling conditions with ease and maintaining performance consistently.
5. Audi Q8 e-tron coast-to-coast trip
Over 476km covered in one day, that too in a single charge
In 2023, we drove an Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback coast-to-coast from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu to Varkala in Kerala – just over 476km – on a single charge, that too in one day to catch the sunrise and sunset. The Q8 e-tron Sportback delivered an efficiency of 4.6km/kWh, giving the Audi EV a real-world range of about 524km from its 114kWh battery.
Even with traffic, narrow roads, some spirited driving via the ‘Dynamic’ mode and delays in Kerala, the Q8 e-tron Sportback made the trip with 9 percent charge left and 476.7km covered.
6. Mercedes Benz EQS sedan longest distance world record
949km travelled on a single charge
Though we’ve racked up quite a lot of Guinness World Records over the years, eking out the longest journey travelled by an EV on a single charge in the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 sedan remains one of our best, especially since it coincided with our 25th anniversary last year, too.
Setting off from Bangalore on a full charge, the EQS 580 covered a distance of 949km when it reached its destination in Navi Mumbai, beating the previous Guinness World Record for the same by 32.26km. Impressively, the 949km real-world range exceeds EQS 580’s claimed range of 817km by just over 16 percent. It’s also worth mentioning that the two-day journey was completed under arduous conditions like heavy rainfall, lots of traffic, broken roads, and even a flat tyre.
7. Porsche Taycan BIC EV lap record
2:10.313 lap time makes the Taycan the fastest EV around BIC so far
At the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, we lapped a Porsche Taycan Turbo S and clocked a time of 2:10.313 minutes – the first-ever EV lap record around the 5.125km track. Despite its rather portly kerb weight of 2,370kg, the Taycan delivered unexpectedly sharp performance at BIC thanks to 761hp and 1,050Nm, a low centre of gravity (aided by the heavy 93.4 kWh battery), precise steering, and superb balance.
Upon hitting the apex and pinning the throttle, the Taycan belied physics the way it propelled out of corners with explosive speed, and despite weighing 845kg more, the EV achieved nearly the same top speed as the 911 GT3 RS at the end of BIC’s main straight.
8. Ultraviolette F99 India top speed record
258kph around NATRAX and a 100-200kph run of 6.2 seconds
One of our more recent records entailed setting a new benchmark for made-in-India two-wheelers by hitting a top speed of 258kph on the Ultraviolette F99 at the NATRAX oval. Designed around a 400V architecture with a liquid-cooled powertrain, the purpose-built F99 packs 120hp and an astounding 972Nm (measured at the rear wheel).
The F99’s custom trellis frame, forged carbon-fibre bodywork, Brembo brakes, and Ohlins suspension helped the bike remain stable at high speeds, culminating in a clean record run captured via precision V-Box data. It also achieved a blistering 0-200kph run in under 10 seconds and 100-200kph in just 6.2 seconds, smashing previous Indian motorcycle speed records.
9. Mercedes Benz EQS SUV temperature change record
From the sweltering heat of Rajasthan to the sub-zero chill of Ladakh
Our latest Guinness World Record saw us achieving the greatest temperature change endured by a production EV. We accomplished this using the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 SUV, driving from the scorching heat of 47.5 deg-C in Rajasthan to the below-freezing chill of -3.7 deg-C in Ladakh, for an impressive overall temperature swing of 51.2 deg-C.
The journey tested the limits of the EQS 450 SUV, especially its 122kWh battery’s thermal management system. Despite extreme variations in temperature, the climate control and battery systems kept the EQS 450 SUV performing smoothly and safely.
