17 October 2026
Can you comfortably drive around 630 km in an electric car overnight? I decided to find out with my Tata Nexon EV, driving from LB Nagar, Hyderabad, to Padi, Chennai.
The journey started at 3 PM and ended at around 4 AM the next morning. With a little planning, three charging stops, and reliable charging support from Voltran, the trip turned into a smooth overnight drive.
I also planned the route using EVGrids.in, my EV road-trip planning platform, to identify charging stops along the highway.
Trip Overview
* Route: LB Nagar, Hyderabad → Padi, Chennai * Distance: Approximately 630 km * Vehicle: Tata Nexon EV * Departure: 3:00 PM * Arrival: 4:00 AM the next day * Starting battery: 78% * Battery on arrival: 55% * Charging stops: Miryalguda, Ongole, and Nellore * Total charging time: Approximately 2 hours * Total energy charged on the route: 79 units (kWh) * Charging cost: ₹1,581, excluding home charging
Planning the Route with EVGrids.in
Before starting the journey, I planned my road trip using EVGrids.in.
For a long-distance EV trip, planning charging stops in advance makes a big difference. Instead of depending on a single charging station or worrying about the remaining battery, I could plan where to charge along the route.
My plan included three Voltran charging stops:
1. Miryalguda 2. Ongole 3. Nellore
This gave me multiple opportunities to recharge during the journey and continue towards Chennai with confidence.
Starting from Hyderabad at 3 PM
I started from home in LB Nagar at around 3 PM, with the battery at 78%.
The first part of the journey was about reaching the planned charging stop at Miryalguda. Since I had already planned the route, I knew where I intended to charge rather than searching for a station at the last minute.
Stop 1: Voltran, Miryalguda
Charging session: 38% to 85% | Approximately 30 minutes
My first charging stop was a Voltran station at Miryalguda.
One thing I particularly liked about this station was the dedicated person available to help charge the car. Having someone assist with the charging process made the stop convenient, especially during a long road trip.
I charged the Nexon EV from 38% to 85% in approximately 30 minutes and continued towards Ongole.
This was a good first stop to recharge, stretch a little, and get back on the road.
Stop 2: Voltran, Ongole
Charging session: 33% to 85%
The next charging stop was Voltran at Ongole.
After driving from Miryalguda, I arrived with 33% battery remaining. I charged up to 85% before continuing towards Nellore.
Having another planned charging stop along the route helped keep the journey predictable. Rather than trying to stretch the battery to its limit, I could recharge and continue comfortably.
Stop 3: Voltran, Nellore
Charging session: 35% to 100%
Nellore was my final charging stop before Chennai.
I arrived with 35% battery remaining and charged the car to 100%.
I also took a break of around one hour here to rest before the final stretch of the journey. This was a useful opportunity to recharge both the car and myself before continuing the overnight drive.
One additional benefit was the discounted charging price available through the Voltran and Tata EV collaboration for my Nexon EV.
For EV owners, these kinds of charging partnerships can make a noticeable difference to the cost of long-distance travel.
Reaching Chennai at 4 AM
After leaving Nellore, I continued towards Padi, Chennai.
I reached my destination at around 4 AM, completing the approximately 630 km journey from Hyderabad.
The car still had 55% battery remaining when I arrived.
That was a reassuring end to the trip. Despite driving overnight over a long distance, I did not arrive with an almost-empty battery or have to search for another charger near my destination.
Charging Breakdown
Here is a summary of the three charging stops during the trip. Total time 2 hours (30+30+60) Cost 1581 excluding home charge The total cost excludes the electricity used for charging at home before departure.
With 79 units charged during the journey, the average public charging cost worked out to approximately ₹20.01 per unit.
What I Liked About the Trip
1. Planning charging stops in advance
Using EVGrids.in helped me map out the charging stops before leaving Hyderabad. Having a plan made the journey more structured and reduced the need to make charging decisions while driving.
2. The charging assistance at Miryalguda
The dedicated person at the Voltran station was a highlight. Helpful charging staff can make a long-distance EV journey more convenient, particularly when you want to get back on the road without unnecessary delays.
3. The Voltran and Tata EV discount
The discounted charging rate available through the Voltran and Tata EV collaboration was another positive. Checking for vehicle-specific charging offers before a trip is worth considering.
4. Arriving with 55% battery
Reaching Chennai with 55% remaining battery was a comfortable finish. It also meant I had a substantial battery reserve after completing the long drive.
5. Combining charging with rest breaks
The charging stops provided opportunities to take breaks during the journey. The one-hour rest at Nellore was particularly useful before the final stretch.
Tips for Planning Your Own Hyderabad–Chennai EV Road Trip
If you are planning a similar drive in a Tata Nexon EV or another electric vehicle, here are a few practical tips:
* Plan charging stops beforehand: Use EVGrids.in to map suitable charging locations along your route. * Check charger availability: Confirm that the station is operational and compatible with your vehicle before arriving. * Keep a battery buffer: Avoid planning a route that depends on reaching a charger with critically low battery. * Account for charging time: Charging speed can vary depending on the charger’s output, the car’s battery temperature, and the battery’s state of charge. * Check charging offers: Look for discounts or partnerships available for your vehicle. * Take proper breaks: An overnight drive is demanding, so plan rest stops rather than focusing only on charging the car. * Keep a backup option: Identify an alternative charger in case your preferred station is unavailable.
Final Thoughts
My Hyderabad-to-Chennai road trip was a good example of how planning can make a long-distance electric-car journey more manageable.
I covered approximately 630 km, starting from LB Nagar at 3 PM and reaching Padi around 4 AM the following morning. I used three Voltran charging stations at Miryalguda, Ongole, and Nellore, spent around two hours charging, and recorded ₹1,581 in public charging expenses.
The helpful charging staff at Miryalguda, the discount available through the Voltran and Tata EV collaboration, and the ability to plan the stops beforehand all contributed to a positive experience.
For me, the biggest takeaway was simple: long-distance EV travel becomes easier when you plan your charging stops before starting the journey.
If you own an EV and are planning a road trip, give EVGrids.in a try to plan your route and charging stops.
Happy EV driving!