[TusharK]

The Hyundai Kona Electric has set a new Guinness World Record for the highest altitude achieved in an electric car.



The Kona Electric was driven to an altitude of 5,731 meters to the Sawula Pass in Tibet. It beat the previous record of 5,715.28 meters.

In December 2019, the Kona Electric had set off on a 700 km drive from Lhasa to the Everest base camp, which is located at an altitude of 17,000 feet (5,181.6 meters).

The Kona Electric was launched in July 2019. The car uses a 39.2 kWh battery that powers an electric motor that has an output of 134 BHP and 395 Nm. Hyundai claims that the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, while the battery is said to offer an ARAI certified range of 452 km on a single charge.

Link to Team-BHP News

[GeneralJazz]

I think EVs are better suited for higher altitudes than ICE vehicles (ignoring the obvious charging issue or rather, the lack of charging-issue). For one, they don't lose power at higher altitude like ICE vehicles. IC engines have to deal with low oxygen at high altitudes. Not only do they lose power, they also overheat, having to deal with leaner air-fuel mix. The driver would also be more comfortable as he won't have to change gears frequently. Check out this.

[Durango Dude]

It may be okay to set records where all else is taken care of by the company and support team but it's at least 50 years away before a common man can take one to the Himalayas.

[AspiringIndian]

Originally Posted by GeneralJazz

I think EVs are better suited for higher altitudes than ICE vehicles (ignoring the obvious charging issue or rather, the lack of charging-issue). For one, they don't lose power at higher altitude like ICE vehicles. IC engines have to deal with low oxygen at high altitudes. Not only do they lose power, they also overheat, having to deal with leaner air-fuel mix. The driver would also be more comfortable as he won't have to change gears frequently. Check out this.

There is one drawback with the batteries that they discharge faster in colder climates thus affecting range - you might reach the heights and be stuck there

As someone on this thread said, its okay to set a record for record's sake but that does not automatically imply practical use

[2000rpm]

EVs in India can use such marketing campaigns to drive adoption. EVs need such attention in India currently.

[groom]

I am sure it was followed by a bus/ truck with diesel generator to charge it. :-|
It would also be interesting to know how much time it took for the entire trip.

LoL.

[naveen.raju]

Instead of this, I wish the headline read "Hyundai sets a world record in setting up maximum charging stations across the country in minimum time".

I don't think this would set sales chart on fire. Instead, do something that attracts the common buyer.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Wait. Didn’t Milind Soman drive the Nexon EV to Leh from Manali? Tanglang La’s altitude is a bit more than 17000ft, making it higher than this Tibetan pass. The record should go to Tata.

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by groom

I am sure it was followed by a bus/ truck with diesel generator to charge it. :-|
It would also be interesting to know how much time it took for the entire trip.

LoL.

Very true. I would like to know how many kms they got out of one charge on that route. Also, did they make any mods, like a larger battery pack? Any other tweaks to the car? Maybe they removed all unnecessary equipment to reduce weight.

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by AspiringIndian

There is one drawback with the batteries that they discharge faster in colder climates thus affecting range - you might reach the heights and be stuck there

As someone on this thread said, its okay to set a record for record's sake but that does not automatically imply practical use

That's true! I faced this issue twice with my smart phone - once at the Rohtang La pass and once when we went skiing in Austria. Both times, my phone's battery just dropped to 1% though it did stay on for an hour or so before it died. To be fair, my battery was about 15% degraded by then but I can't imagine what would have happened in a similar scenario in an EV.

[deerhunter]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

Wait. Didn’t Milind Soman drive the Nexon EV to Leh from Manali? Tanglang La’s altitude is a bit more than 17000ft, making it higher than this Tibetan pass. The record should go to Tata.

This pass is around 400 metres(approx 1300 feet) higher than Tanglag La. Infact, it is even higher than Khardung La and Mana pass. Most probably, Umling La is the only motorable pass in India that is higher than this.

[shashi792]

Originally Posted by groom

I am sure it was followed by a bus/ truck with diesel generator to charge it. :-|
It would also be interesting to know how much time it took for the entire trip.

LoL.

I think so to. Recently 'CarWow YouTube Channel' did a range run on all the EV's available in UK market. As a backup, they did carry a diesel generator

LINK