[GoBabyGo]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Indeed, battery life and replacement cost have always been a worry for all EV users. I was quoted about Rs.4,00,000 + taxes & installation cost for replacement of the E2O battery pack, but then I came across this video:
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=Ri-V4auLdc0

Their website is https://www.northwaymotors.com, and Instagram handle is @northwayms, which last posted in August 2020.

I wonder if anyone on this forum has used their services. For the price they quote, it would be worthwhile to even freight an E2O from another part of the country (Delhi in my case) to Pune, have the pack(s) installed, and get the car back home on another truck. I would be glad if someone can update about them with first-hand experience in recent times.

Hi SS Traveller, I think we should not benchmark E20 for battery related topics. Technology changes with time and I am very much confident that current generation of battery in electric car is much superior to the one used in E20 (I have no technical knowledge & didn't do any research before typing this). I have read a lot about BYD Blade battery. I feel that battery used by MG & Tata are much more advanced version compared to E20, may not be as advanced as Blade battery.

I am very optimistic that battery used in current generation MG & Tata EVs will easily last over 2 lacs km with maximum 5% to 10% degradation, that's why these manufacturers offering 8 years & 1.5 lac km battery warranty. There may be news about battery issues, but those are normal just as we hear issues in ICE cars.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by GoBabyGo

...we should not benchmark E20 for battery related topics. Technology changes with time and I am very much confident that current generation of battery in electric car is much superior to the one used in E20...

Indeed - the E2O is already a proven platform. Batteries and motors are becoming cheaper and more efficient, so the existing chassis with a different battery pack and motor will definitely give us a decent range plus a low initial cost (since the chassis development and tooling costs would be negligible).

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Someday soon, we'd like to see a Mahindra E2O Plus with 200-km range, or even a Tata Nano EV, for a starting price under Rs.700,000.

[SS-Traveller]

The first glitch showed up in our E2O this morning. I had left it on charge for a couple of hours, then disconnected the charger, unlocked the door and got in - and suddenly the car was completely dead! No lights at all, no horn, no power, absolutely nothing!

Called up Koncept Mahindra and spoke to their (one and only) E2O specialist. Said he needed to connect a laptop, and he's so busy that he can't make a house call. Suggested I check the auxiliary battery (12v) and replace it if needed. Or maybe if I could get a tow truck to bring the car over to the workshop?

The auxiliary battery seemed to be healthy once I checked (took apart the rear seat and boot of the car to find it).



Finally, I read up on the internet about a 'Wakeup Switch' next to the 'Communication Port' where they plug their laptop in - this is situated in the rear footwell, on the right side plastic front panel under the rear seat. It is a little dot of a switch that's really hard to find, but I did. Pressed it for a few seconds, but nothing happened. Then decided to keep it pressed for a minute as a last-ditch measure, before calling a tow truck tomorrow - and voilà, the car came to life after about 20 seconds!



Drove the car a bit, and it seemed to be running fine and as usual - then a warning message popped up, saying Check EPS, and the EV warning light on the dashboard lit up.





Switched off and back on again, and that was gone too!

Looks like this is the famed Mahindra self-healing technology at work here!

Major worry, a sleepless night, and unknown, but presumably substantial, expenses saved.

[SS-Traveller]

Over the last month, the E2O has been temperamental. It would go into 'sleep mode' while driving (but wake up promptly when the 'wakeup' button was pushed for 15 seconds), the steering would refuse to centre up and pull the car to the right, and the 'EV Warning Light' would show up occasionally. A visit to Koncept Mahindra at Mohan Cooperative Estate later, I had a new auxiliary battery installed. The old battery was apparently not holding up 12v and more when under load, and it was 3 years old.

The problem of the car suddenly dying on me, and / or the EV light coming on while being driven, didn't go away - until I noticed that it would only happen when the car was steered to full left lock. Inference: Something was wrong with the EPS module. The expert there told me it was repairable, though a new unit would cost ₹24k, if at all it can be procured from M&M.

So I left the car at Koncept again after Christmas, and the EPS module was taken out for repair. Got the car back after 4 days, with the EPS module repaired and a temperature sensor on the battery (cell #7) replaced. Over the last 7 days, it hasn't died on me, and no warning light has popped up, even when turning the steering to full lock on either side. The only (mild) bugbear is that the steering is pulling slightly to the left now (wheel alignment and / or EPS module calibration needed), and the steering wheel is not centred when driving straight (again, alignment and calibration needed).

Will make a quick trip next week to get this fixed, but the car is doing just fine otherwise. Total expense of less than ₹10k, including the new battery (₹5.2k) and all the repairs, didn't hurt too much!

[SS-Traveller]

The pull-to-left-side problem has gone after a visit yesterday to Koncept again, where the front wheel alignment was corrected and the EPS module was calibrated through laptop, while I waited. The car is tracking straight now, and drives as good as expected.

[youknowitbetter]

Hey SS-Traveller, just wanted to check how many kilometers have you added to the ODO since you bought it and what is the general range that car is offering you?

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by youknowitbetter

Hey SS-Traveller, just wanted to check how many kilometers have you added to the ODO since you bought it and what is the general range that car is offering you?

I have run about 5,000 km in 13 months since I have had the car. The range in winter (no AC) is about 9-11 km per 10% of charge drop - so about 80 km is the max I'd go, since I do not want the SOC to drop below 20%. In summers, with the AC on, it runs about 7-8 km per 10% drop in charge, so usable range is about 55-60 km.

[vishwaschettri]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

I have run about 5,000 km in 13 months since I have had the car.

Hey SS-Treveller, request a detailed review and dos and dont of one is looking to buy an E20 today. I have a similar requirement where I have cars for other requirements but looking for something for local run about. Maximum running in a go would be 20-30 kms.

Basically I need an activa with 4 wheels and a roof, and only this vehicle fits the bill without breaking the bank.

Thanks in advance

Vishwas

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

...request a detailed review and dos and dont of one is looking to buy an E20 today.

Since the electricals are a mystery and an undecipherable black box to me, I really won't know what to look for there. As long as the EV warning light isn't popping up and the car shows no warnings on the speedo display, has decent range (drive it to see the rate of battery depletion, according to my previous post above), there's no major rust in the space frame and underbody, no rattles in the suspension, no pulling of steering to one side or unusual tyre wear - you should be able to buy one without worries, so long as the price is right for you.

Since you are in Delhi, you can drop me a DM if you need any further help.

[vishwaschettri]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Since you are in Delhi, you can drop me a DM if you need any further help.

Thanks for your generous offer. I will be reaching out over DM once I shortlist something. If OK with you please do share the price you paid and any big expense since then.

Cheers

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

,,,any big expense since then.

I spent about ₹1000 for a scan and general check soon after I'd bought the car (December 2022), and another ₹9000 or so in December 2023–January 2024 to replace the auxiliary battery and have the EPS module repaired.

[wirefree]

Very informative Sir
And courageous.

Do you reckon there might be takers for my 2014 model?