I just felt like taking a day off my crazy schedule. I decided to take my Mahindra e2o electric car for a spin to the mountains near Pune city. I decided to go to Lavasa, around 58 km from home. My plan was to just walk in the rain, do nothing, stare at the mist covered mountains, enjoy good food and also check out the Segway rides, launched recently. The concern at the back of my mind was this - I needed to cover 120 km (2 way) on an electric car that goes 100 km. And that too the route involved climbing steep hills - a big battery drainer. I did the same trip one year back, i barely made it back! (The magic of Regen!) This year, i wanted to plug in the car to ensure i was comfortable getting back.
But this time, what i found out was that, businesses and people, generally go out of their way to ensure EVs are plugged in and you return safely home. All you need to do is ask!
But this time, what i found out was that, businesses and people, generally go out of their way to ensure EVs are plugged in and you return safely home. All you need to do is ask!
As Lavasa has no 240V, 15Amp sockets in their parking slots, I contacted the the company that offers the Segway tours - EcoMantra (http://ecomantra.com/). I figured that they would encourage eco friendly transport and arrange a socket for me. Their contact person Mr Ravi Goel was enthusiastic to help and informed me that there was a 15Amp socket in his office's kitchen and charging was not going to be a problem!
So i left Pune and enjoyed the scenic drive to Lavasa!
So i left Pune and enjoyed the scenic drive to Lavasa!
EVA and mist covered mountains
Smell the mountain air and listen to the silence!
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Getting near
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Reach Lavasa with 40 km worth of energy left!! The crazy hill really drained the batteries. I need to plug-in!!!
Finding that socket!!
My first business was to contact the EcoMantra guys and find that socket!!! I met Mr Jai from Ecomantra who took me to the office which was on the first floor. The 15Amp socket was available, but i needed an extension chord that goes down to the basement. I had a 15 meter extension chord that went to the basement. But i was just 5 meters short!!!! No way!!
We checked if there was an electric shop to buy an extension chord but they were shut. Curses!
So what followed was frantic walks, by Jai (from EcoMantra and me) to every waterfront apartment building basements to find that elusive 15Amp socket!
My first business was to contact the EcoMantra guys and find that socket!!! I met Mr Jai from Ecomantra who took me to the office which was on the first floor. The 15Amp socket was available, but i needed an extension chord that goes down to the basement. I had a 15 meter extension chord that went to the basement. But i was just 5 meters short!!!! No way!!
We checked if there was an electric shop to buy an extension chord but they were shut. Curses!
So what followed was frantic walks, by Jai (from EcoMantra and me) to every waterfront apartment building basements to find that elusive 15Amp socket!
Small socket. Not the big one we need
Ok the other building's meter room
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5 Amp!!! Darn!!!
This socket looked like 15Amp, but the label put me off!!!
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I was about to give up, when we decided to check out the kitchen of restaurants!!!
Usually the kitchens have 15Amp sockets for microwaves, dishwashers etc. So we decided to give it a shot.
Usually the kitchens have 15Amp sockets for microwaves, dishwashers etc. So we decided to give it a shot.
And sure enough there was one!!! This was the garbage yard!
EVA - The Amp sucker!!!!
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And i felt soo good, when that green light came on!!!
All is fine!! Jay from Eco Mantra observing
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EV owners get help
So all in all i really had to slog my ass out to get that elusive 15Amp socket. Jai from EcoMantra went out of his way to ensure i finally got the 15 Amp socket. The restaurant owner was more than happy to let me plug-in. This is the key thing.
If you are going somewhere and need to plugin your EV, do the following
So all in all i really had to slog my ass out to get that elusive 15Amp socket. Jai from EcoMantra went out of his way to ensure i finally got the 15 Amp socket. The restaurant owner was more than happy to let me plug-in. This is the key thing.
If you are going somewhere and need to plugin your EV, do the following
- Call in advance and ask the business or local contact if you could plugin. Most people would help, especially if they see that you could help their business
- Once you get there, if the business cannot help, feel free to ask other businesses nearby
- Electric vehicle owners are people who think differently. These are the people who are living the change for a better tomorrow and are setting an example. Most people recognise this and will help.
So don't feel shy. Do ask, if you need help! - Always have a long extension wire!! Trust me, it helps!
Once i got EVA plugged in, i was able to do all the things i wanted to do today!!!!
Walk in the rain, do nothing, stare at the mist covered mountains, enjoy good food and check out the Segway rides!
Walk in the rain, do nothing, stare at the mist covered mountains, enjoy good food and check out the Segway rides!
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Segway rides by EcoMantra at Lavasa
PluginIndia Impact!
Mr Ravi Goel from EcoMantra.com and we at PlugInIndia.com have asked the authorities at Lavasa to install 3 to 4 -15Amp sockets in the Lavasa parking lot. And the authorities have contacted us and are looking at installing the infrastructure for the benefit of the EV community. This can benefit all Mumbai and Pune EV users. So stay tuned!!
Now this is how we bring bout change!
Mr Ravi Goel from EcoMantra.com and we at PlugInIndia.com have asked the authorities at Lavasa to install 3 to 4 -15Amp sockets in the Lavasa parking lot. And the authorities have contacted us and are looking at installing the infrastructure for the benefit of the EV community. This can benefit all Mumbai and Pune EV users. So stay tuned!!
Now this is how we bring bout change!