Real-World EV Range in India — What You Actually Get vs Claimed

Why claimed range is misleading

Every EV manufacturer in India advertises a "claimed range" — usually something impressive like 400 km, 450 km, or 500 km. These numbers are tested under the MIDC (Modified Indian Driving Cycle) protocol, which simulates ideal conditions: gentle acceleration, no AC, flat roads, 25°C temperature.

Real-world driving in India is nothing like that. You sit in traffic with AC blasting. You accelerate hard to merge onto highways. You drive on potholed roads with elevation changes. All of this drains the battery faster than the lab test.

The result: most EVs deliver 75-85% of their claimed range in real-world mixed driving. Some do better, some do worse. This guide gives you the actual numbers so you can plan accordingly.

How range works in different conditions

EV range is not a fixed number. It varies based on:

1. Speed
EVs are most efficient at 50-70 km/h. At 100+ km/h on a highway, range drops by 20-30% because aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed.

2. AC use
AC in an EV is powered by the battery, not the engine. Full AC can reduce range by 10-15% in city driving. Highway impact is lower (5-10%) because the AC is a smaller percentage of total energy use at higher speeds.

3. Driving style
Aggressive acceleration drains the battery fast. Smooth, gentle driving maximizes range. Regenerative braking (when you lift off the accelerator and the car slows down while recharging the battery) helps, but only in stop-and-go traffic — it does nothing on highways.

4. Temperature
Batteries lose efficiency in extreme heat (above 40°C) and extreme cold (below 10°C). In Indian summers, expect 5-10% range loss on very hot days.

Real-world range: Popular EVs in India

Tata Nexon.ev (40.5 kWh battery)

Claimed range: 465 km
Real-world city (AC on): 380-400 km
Real-world highway (100 km/h, AC on): 320-350 km
Efficiency: 85-90% of claimed range

Why it performs well:
The Nexon.ev has a well-tuned battery management system and efficient motor. Regenerative braking works well in city traffic. On highways, the aerodynamics are decent for an SUV.

Verdict: Best real-world range in its price segment. If you need 300+ km range regularly, this is the safest bet under ₹20 lakhs.

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MG ZS EV (50.3 kWh battery)

Claimed range: 461 km
Real-world city (AC on): 360-380 km
Real-world highway (100 km/h, AC on): 300-330 km
Efficiency: 75-80% of claimed range

Why it performs worse:
The ZS EV is heavier and less aerodynamic than the Nexon. Highway efficiency drops more noticeably at high speeds.

Verdict: Comfortable and premium, but range falls short of claimed figures. Plan charging stops more conservatively.

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Tata Tiago.ev (24 kWh battery)

Claimed range: 315 km
Real-world city (AC on): 250-270 km
Real-world highway (100 km/h, AC on): 200-220 km
Efficiency: 80-85% of claimed range

Why it is efficient:
The Tiago.ev is light and has a small frontal area, so it cuts through air efficiently. The motor is tuned for city efficiency.

Verdict: Great for city commuting under 200 km per day. Do not attempt long highway trips without planning charging stops carefully.

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BYD Atto 3 (60.48 kWh battery)

Claimed range: 521 km
Real-world city (AC on): 420-450 km
Real-world highway (100 km/h, AC on): 380-420 km
Efficiency: 80-85% of claimed range

Why it delivers good range:
Large battery, efficient BYD Blade battery chemistry, and decent aerodynamics. The car is heavy, but the bigger battery compensates.

Verdict: Best long-range EV under ₹40 lakhs. Genuine 400+ km highway range means you can do Mumbai-Pune or Delhi-Jaipur on a single charge.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5 (72.6 kWh battery)

Claimed range: 631 km
Real-world city (AC on): 500-530 km
Real-world highway (100 km/h, AC on): 450-490 km
Efficiency: 75-80% of claimed range

Why range drops more:
The Ioniq 5 is a large, heavy car with a big frontal area. Aerodynamic drag at highway speeds is significant. But the massive battery still delivers 450+ km highway range.

Verdict: If you need genuine 500+ km range and can afford ₹50+ lakhs, this is the best option in India.

How to maximize your EV's range

1. Drive in Eco mode

Most EVs have Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. Eco mode limits acceleration and top speed, which saves 10-15% battery. Use it in the city. Switch to Normal only when you need the extra power.

2. Use regenerative braking aggressively

Lift off the accelerator early when approaching a stop. The motor acts as a generator and recharges the battery. On some EVs (like the Nexon.ev), you can increase regen strength using paddles or a setting. Max regen can add 5-10% range in city driving.

3. Moderate AC use

Set AC to 24-25°C instead of 18-20°C. Use the fan on lower settings. Once the cabin cools, the AC compressor cycles on and off, using less power. Full-blast AC is the single biggest range killer after high-speed driving.

4. Plan charging stops on long trips

Do not wait until 10% battery to start looking for a charger. Plan to stop at 20-30% remaining. Charging from 20-80% is faster than charging from 10-100%, and you avoid the stress of running out.

5. Avoid 100% charges unless necessary

Charging to 100% regularly degrades the battery faster. For daily driving, charge to 80-90%. Only go to 100% before long trips.

The 80% rule for trip planning

Here is a safe rule: plan trips assuming 80% of the claimed range with AC on.

If your EV claims 400 km range, plan for 320 km real-world range. If you are driving 250 km, you are fine. If you are driving 350 km, plan a 30-minute charging stop halfway.

This rule accounts for worst-case scenarios (hot day, highway speed, traffic) and gives you a buffer. If conditions are good, you will arrive with 20-30% battery left instead of 5%.

What about battery degradation?

All EV batteries lose capacity over time. Expect 5-10% capacity loss after 5 years or 80,000 km, and 10-20% loss after 10 years or 1.6 lakh km.

This means a Nexon.ev with 465 km claimed range when new will deliver 420-440 km claimed range after 5 years. Real-world range will drop proportionally.

Good news: most EV manufacturers in India offer 8-year battery warranties. If the battery degrades more than the warranty threshold (usually 70% capacity), they replace it for free.

The verdict

Best real-world range efficiency: Tata Nexon.ev (85-90% of claimed)
Best for long-distance: BYD Atto 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 (400+ km highway range)
Best for city commuting: Tata Tiago.ev (250+ km real-world is enough for most city drivers)

Do not trust claimed range blindly. Assume 75-85% of the claimed figure for trip planning. If you stick to that rule, you will never be stranded with a dead battery.