From Goa To Gokarna: Travel Sustainably With Sushil Reddy

There’s something uniquely magical about travelling along India’s western coast during the monsoon. As the skies open up and the first rains descend, the landscape transforms dramatically into a lush, green paradise. This charm of monsoons led Sushil Reddy to embark on a journey from Mumbai, starting July 27, right in the heart of the rainy season.

He and his team have started another endurance journey on the MG ZS EV electric car, this time with the aim to cover a distance of 8000+ kilometres in 60 days in South India. This is part of his series of journeys to raise awareness about sustainable travel and e-mobility.

The Journey

"From the moment we left Mumbai, the monsoon revealed its transformative power. The drive to Pune via Lonavala along the Expressway was mesmerising. The Western Ghats, draped in mist, came alive with waterfalls and greenery. It was as if nature had decided to put on a show just for us, with every turn of the road offering a new, scenic vista.

As we moved further south towards Kolhapur, the monsoon had left its mark in more ways than one. While the NH48 highway was lined with patches of saturated areas, the detours were a small inconvenience in the face of such beauty. The landscape was a rich collection of green, with every shade imaginable, as if the earth was celebrating the arrival of the rain.

However, the true essence of the monsoon journey began on the road from Hubli to Goa. The NH748 highway took us through dense forests, where the trees seemed to reach out and embrace the rain, and rice paddies shimmered with the promise of a bountiful harvest. Natural waterfalls beckoned us to stop and marvel at their beauty, though the road wasn’t without its challenges. Fallen trees and branches occasionally obstructed our path, a reminder of the monsoon’s raw power.

Reaching Goa was like stepping into another world. The beaches, usually buzzing with tourists, were now serene, with high waves crashing onto the shore. The off-season quiet added a unique charm to the coastal landscape, making it feel like we had the entire coastline.

Karnataka’s red soil marked the road from Goa to Gokarna and Udupi on the NH66 highway, a striking contrast against the endless green that surrounded us.

As we continued our journey, the landscape began to change subtly. The air grew calmer, and the scent of coffee filled the air as we entered the regions of Madikeri and Wayanad. Here, the monsoon had painted the world in countless shades of green, from the deep emerald of the coffee plantations to the lighter hues of the freshly sprouted leaves. It was a visual feast, a reminder of the richness and diversity of India’s natural beauty.

But it was in Kerala that the monsoon truly showed its full glory. As we drove through Calicut, Thrissur, and Palakkad, the towering coconut trees stood as silent sentinels, swaying gently in the breeze. The landscape here was almost surreal as if the entire state had been wrapped in a lush green carpet.

This journey along India’s west coast during the monsoon was more than just a road trip—it was a deep dive into the heart of nature. Every raindrop, every gust of wind, every shade of green told a story of renewal and rejuvenation."

Key Tips To Remember

A common misconception is that electric vehicles do not perform well in the rain due to the electronics-heavy design of EVs compared to petrol/diesel vehicles. Although, indeed, electronics and water do not go well together, one should keep in mind these two critical tips while planning a journey on an electric car in the rain -

Safety

Before starting the journey, ensure that the electrical components in the electric car under the hood are well-sealed and there are no loose connections. Otherwise, there could be a water inlet opportunity, which could damage them. The electric car's battery is usually rated for being dust- and waterproof, but be sure to check the water-wading capacity of the electric vehicle with the manufacturer to ensure it can drive in waterlogged areas. You want to avoid the worst-case scenario of the electric car shutting down due to water seeping into the electronics. 

Charging

Electricity outages can occur due to excessive rains. We faced this challenge at one of the charging stations on our route from Goa to Gokarna, which was shut down for unplanned maintenance due to stormy weather and excess rainfall. Since electricity is the only fuel for the electric car and rains can cause electricity outages, make sure to have some backup plans for charging or try to go shorter distances to be safe. You can always look at PlugShare to discover alternate chargers on your route in your trip planning exercise and map them out before starting your electric car drive. Also, charging the electric car in the rain is possible.

Written by Sushil Reddy; follow him on Instagram @sushilr25.