Mahindra XEV 9S

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. 

Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. 

As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

If your driving is largely city-based and you have access to home charging, the Mahindra XEV 9S makes a much better everyday car. It’s smooth, very refined, and has a soft, comfortable ride. It’s also significantly easier to drive in traffic compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.
The Pack Two with the 79kWh battery offers an excellent real-world range, which means even weekend trips are perfectly practical - not just short city commutes. 

Another advantage is the sliding second-row seat, which allows you to free up a bit more space in the third row. Though that last row still isn’t particularly spacious.

The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, doesn’t get a sliding middle row. Also, as you pointed out, the fuel efficiency, especially of the 2.0-litre petrol, isn’t particularly impressive.

Where the 7XO does make a strong case is on the highway. Its new suspension setup feels very composed and confident at high speeds, whereas the 9S can feel slightly floaty when pushed faster.

However, given your primarily urban usage, the XUV 9S would clearly be our recommendation.

Given your high daily driving and need for good range, the Mahindra XEV 9S is the best choice. It features a large 79kWh battery pack that offers a range of over 440km and it has strong performance for those who enjoy driving. The Pack One Above variant starts at around Rs 22 lakh and is extremely well-equipped. Moreover, the XEV’s 409V electrical architecture supports DC fast-charging speeds of up to 175kW making quick top ups quick, if you have a fast-charger in the vicinity. 

The other choice would be the Tata Harrier EV that gets a 75kWh battery and is more expensive than the 9S from the entry variant. It also doesn't get the same plush cabin as the Mahindra and overall lacks in terms of value for money.  

As EVs are still relatively new, their performance after 15 years is still an unknown quantity. EV batteries are expected to have a shelf life of 10-12 years. During the course of which the battery's capacity to hold a charge will gradually deplete. 

After this point, it will have to be replaced, which is a high cost, although the savings on fuel over the years are expected to offset it. This, of course, reduces their resale value considerably compared to petrol or diesel cars. 

Public charging infrastructure is improving at a rapid rate, so the problem of busy chargers should be less with each passing year. But the best charging solution remains to have a charger at your home and at your destination, and to charge in small amounts as needed.

As for hybrids, the same battery concerns apply to them too - it's just that the batteries are smaller and therefore cheaper to replace. Self-charging strong hybrids aren't burdened with charging and therefore not dependent on charging infrastructure. But while they are super efficient, they still use petrol, which is expensive. Still, if you do plan to keep the car for 15 years plus, a hybrid would be a safer bet overall. 

Unlike the Hyundai Alcazar and the Mahindra XUV 7XO, the Mahindra XEV 9S is an EV. Thus, we would only suggest this if you have access to charging at home or your place of work. Also, if your highway drives are not very long. 

If you have to cover distances over 400 kms and if there are many ghats, you will need to stop to charge, and highway charging is not perfectly reliable as yet. 

Between the Alcazar and the 7XO, the Mahindra would pip the Hyundai in terms of engine performance, ride and handling and would offer you some more features too.    

Considering that you may occasionally need more than five seats and plan to keep the car for at least four to five years, we would recommend opting for a six or seven-seater. Because of this, the Hyundai Creta EV and the Tata Harrier EV can be ruled out, as both are strictly five-seaters.

The Mahindra XEV 9S is very competitively priced and comes loaded with features. The downside is the ride quality, especially in the second and third rows. It can feel a bit too soft due to the suspension setup. This is not much of an issue in city driving, but at highway speeds on uneven surfaces, the car tends to bounce as the suspension takes time to settle.

Since you had also shortlisted the Hyundai Creta EV, we would suggest taking a look at the Kia Carens Clavis EV, as it uses the same powertrain and battery. It works better as a six or seven-seater, thanks to a more spacious third row compared to the 9S, where even adults can travel in reasonable comfort. While it is not as powerful as the Mahindra XEV 9S. It still offers more than enough performance even with a full load, and the suspension feels more comfortable overall.

One important thing to note is the battery size. The Clavis EV has a smaller battery pack compared to the XEV 9S. In real-world usage, the Mahindra can deliver over 450 km on a full charge. While the Clavis EV is likely to offer closer to 350 km of realistic range.