Tata Nexon.ev Becomes First Electric Car To Reach Zero Point In North Sikkim
Most people, when travelling to remote locations on mountains, prefer to take 4X4 SUVs to ensure that they can safely reach and return during adventures, right? However, there are some people who like to do things differently. Recently, a group of friends took a Tata Nexon.ev to the Zero Point in Sikkim and managed to make their electric SUV the first in the country to reach the Zero Point in North Sikkim.
The video showing the struggles and the route to the Zero Point in North Sikkim has been shared on Instagram by Nomadic Lens Official on their page. It starts off with the two men clearing the bigger rocks from the way for the Tata Nexon.ev to drive on, after which the Nexon.ev can be seen climbing muddy and slippery slopes.
Following this, the video then shows the Nexon.ev crossing under-construction roads beside a river. In the same clip, the creator has shared the part where they had to repair the puncture on the front right tyre of this SUV on the road. It then continues to show the harsh terrains on which the Nexon.ev had to be driven in order to reach the Zero Point in North Sikkim. As per the video, this particular Nexon.ev has become the first EV to reach this point.
For those who may not be aware, the Zero point in Sikkim is a stunning, high-altitude (approximately 15,300 ft) spot near the Indo-China border. It is famous for being the last accessible point for civilians before the border. To reach Zero Point in North Sikkim, tourists are required to take a Protected Area Permit (PAP) (Indian tourists) and an Inner Line Permit (Foreigners).
The simple answer to this question is no. EV owners should generally avoid taking their EVs to such remote locations. The primary reason being charging infrastructure. As we all know, the charging infrastructure in India is currently in very early stages and has not developed fully. So, finding a charging station in such remote locations becomes nearly impossible. There are almost no public charging stations, and the electricity supply is also unreliable to use portable chargers.
Additionally, the battery performance at extremely high altitudes with very low temperatures gets significantly reduced, and the usable range becomes very low. Apart from this, vehicles like the Nexon.ev and other popular affordable EVs (except Mahindra XEV 9S and Tata Harrier.ev) are front-wheel-drive vehicles. This means that there are higher chances of such vehicles getting stuck.
Also, as these vehicles are not equipped with off-road-specific tyres, they are more prone to tyre damage (as seen in the video above). In simple terms, we are not saying that EVs can't be taken to such remote locations. With proper planning and preparation, such adventures can be taken on by enthusiasts. However, it has to be kept in mind that such adventures are not practical, and most people will not go through this much hassle.