Sustainable Living!

🎄🌳🌻🌍🌵💧💦
“माता भूमि पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्या”

This verse from ‘Atharvaveda’ captures the theme of “Only One Earth” very beautifully for the 50th World Environment Day on 5th June, 2022!
It translates to –‘ Earth is my Mother & I am her Child’.

Landscape from the hills of ‘Anjanadri’, Karnataka

My approach for this Environment Day can be titled “Sustainable Living!”
Sustain, as the word goes, forms a bridge between the present and what the future holds for us!

While evolution has been a constant in the present generation, a thorough analysis is required right from the level of an atom to the atmosphere in the small habits that we as a society are accustomed to.
A small change to our current habits can create a drastic impact on society and the world we live in!

This World Environment Day let’s pledge to create an atmosphere of belongingness to our “Only One Earth”.

A Confluence!

Sustain, as the word goes, forms a bridge between the present and what the future holds for us!

The environment also consists of active flora & fauna!

The ultimate focus for “Only one planet” should be on the dependence on Green Energy, which reflects on the energy which is clean and generated through renewable sources.

Indian literature of Vedas and Upanishads is richly populated with awareness of nature and the ecosystem we thrive in.

Each of our fundamental actions has to be concentrated on measuring the impact it creates on the five-building elements of nature i.e., Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), Space (Aakash).
At the grassroots level, the five elements form the basis of change on this planet. Any effort to correct the existing negative impact on the environment should be focused on analyzing one natural element at a time.


Below are some exciting steps that could be taken on a small scale and their larger effects:

🎄 Limit the use of Air Conditioners (Uses freon & other chemicals & ultimately leads to an increase in Earth’s temperature)
🎄 Making a switch to Electric Vehicles through personal & public transport (Reduces dependence on fossil fuels, which ultimately preserves climate)
🎄 Effective recycling & safe disposal of Electronic devices like mobiles & laptops (Preserves soil quality)
🎄 Active treatment of smoke emitted from automobiles & industries (Cleaner air quality helps in maintaining green cover over Earth)
🎄 Reduce any unwanted burning of waste or toxic material (Helps in creating a safe atmosphere for our flora & fauna)
🎄 Go digital & save paper (Conserves trees)
🎄 Switch off your gasoline operated vehicles at long stops & Traffic Signals (Collectively reduces carbon emissions)

🎄 Installation of Solar panels on rooftops for energy Independence (Reduces usage of conventional energy generated from non-renewable sources), In addition, excess energy generated through solar panels could be reverted back to the grid thus making it more “Clean”!

Collectively, as citizens of rich cultural heritage, we have to think at a global level and act at a local scale. If each of us has a mindset to live naturally without having much dependence on depletable resources, that could be the first step in providing a breathing space for our Mother Earth.

Greenery!

Some of the small actions that we could take on a personal level are:

  1. Installing a thermometer and using the Air Conditioning only when it crosses a threshold level.
  2. Making the switch from gasoline to Electric Vehicles
  3. Rainwater harvesting & groundwater conservation
  4. Collect plastics from the neighbourhood & surroundings and divert them to a recycling centre

How can EVs be effectively utilized to save the carbon footprint?

Our TATA Nexon EV merging into the path of nature!

The idea revolves around the concept of Clean Energy. It is defined as energy generated through clean and green sources as opposed to conventional energy generated through coal power and other non-renewable sources. By analyzing the power sources in Indian states having a larger composition of clean energy, we can make a difference on a personal level through the usage of EVs thus saving tons of CO2 yearly.

The top five Indian States having the highest production of renewable energy are: (Source: MNRE.gov.in)

  1. Rajasthan
  2. Karnataka
  3. Gujarat
  4. Tamil Nadu
  5. Maharashtra

Switching to EVs in the above states and the ones generating more percentage of clean energy would gradually help in combating the negative effects of fossil fuels produced until now!

Use of Electric Vehicles as a mode of

  1. Personal Transport
  2. Public Transport

The use of EVs can be enhanced in the cities and states of India having green energy generation that neutralizes the carbon footprint generated against the energy generated through non-renewable sources like coal through power plants.

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TATA Nexon EV XZ+ Ownership Review with Tips and Tricks

In this very first blog of mine, I wish to share my views on the TATA Nexon EV. We have taken the delivery of the vehicle on 25th October 2020, and have clocked 8000 KMs in 5 months. I present my experience with this electric SUV which happens to be an amazing choice for travelling and beyond.

Unique Features

Starting off with a few small and unique features of Nexon (also common to ICE platform) which makes the driving easier and the SUV unique.

  1. Presence of hooks at various locations like boot, B pillars which is a boon for any Indian Customer.
  2. Speed dependent volume (activates in steps after 40-50 kmph) of the infotainment system which takes care of tyre and road noise.
  3. Lane change indicators: By cranking the indicator stick to half only once will blink the indicators for 6 quick times to change lanes on highways.
  4. The tinted IRVM (inside rear view mirror) is beneficial during night drives. On pushing the lever, the high-beams of rear vehicles is dimmed (passive) and vehicles can be seen without strain on eyes.
  5. While maneuvering in very tight roads, the ORVMs (Outside rear view mirrors) can be folded electronically by the push of the mirror adjustment button.

Review

The highly smooth and noise-less environment in the EV makes driving very peaceful. Overtaking and panic braking are very efficient and is highly reliable. Although the vehicle is heavy, it is not the case while maneuvering or accelerating. Though the projector lamps are not very bright, the high beam is very powerful and has an efficient throw of beam.

The 8000 kms that we have driven, the Nexon EV has given us an average range of 260 kms (28600/110) bringing the approximate cost to exactly 1 Re/km considering the price of 8 Rs/kWh of slow charging. 28600 being the effective total capacity of the battery in watt-hour and 110, the consumption in wh/km.

With the latest updates to the softwares of Nexon EV, the car has showed improved efficiency and patterns of cell balancing during slow charge. The infotainment system also has become smooth with the new version and using Google Maps has become easier with Android Auto.

Tips for efficient driving and Maintenance

  1. For very long drives (above 250 kms) on a single charge, always try to maintain one or zero bar eco acceleration. This bar is shown as green line on the left side of MID (multi-information display).
  2. The tyre pressure must be kept between 34-36 for maximum range.
  3. The max speed should not exceed 80 kmph and should be 70 kmph or less throughout. More the number of speed changes, more is the battery consumption.
  4. The usage of AC has an effect on the battery. This effect is more if the difference in ambient temperatures inside and outside the car is more. The compressor has to exchange more heat to bring about the temperature change. Hence, if AC is to be used efficiently keep the temperatures very near to the OAT (Outside air temperature). On an average the temperature range of 24-26 degree Celsius would be ambient without excessive cooling.
  5. Anticipating bumps and obstacles on road is recommended. This has to be done only if the traffic movement is smooth and is not at the cost of SAFETY. On an average 100 – 200 meters ( > 300 meters for speeds more than 60-70) of regeneration can be utilized while good anticipation of obstacles and bumps.
  6. As a precautionary measure we have never washed the car by drenching it in water. Only wet and dry wipe alternatively has been done (micro-fiber) to prevent any unwanted or unknowing problems to the EV that can be caused due to moisture logging. Adding to it is the ceramic coating which has been done on the car and this type of wash is beneficial for the paint and the coat.

Driving and General Tips

  1. Do not turn the steering while the brakes are applied and the car is at halt, this causes more wear and tear to brakes as well as tyres.
  2. While at signal, hand-brake can be safely engaged in D mode without causing any issues. But be sure not to accelerate (with hand-brake engaged) as D mode is active and may skid the front tyres.
  3. For very steep climbs or inclined road starts, either of the following can be done to prevent roll-back of car: i) Cross the right leg to toe the accelerator pedal and heel to lift off the brakes. ii) Use sports mode and and switch right leg from brake to accelerator very quickly (< 0.3 seconds), this might roll the car maximum by a few inches and is an efficient way.
  4. Always charge the car to 100 % while slow charging as recommended in the manual, as balancing of cells happen and BMS is calibrated correctly.
  5. Do no use the pre-cooling feature excessively as it may drain the auxiliary battery quickly.

Optional Items to be kept in EV

20 Meter extension box with energy meter.
  1. An extension box with sufficient length made of high quality wires (4 sq-mm cross section). A grounding circuit is also recommended as many village locations may not have a grounded circuit and this may prevent the car from charging.
  2. Multimeter to check auxiliary battery voltage, and to check continuity, current, voltage of various circuits for charging.
  3. Tyre inflator.
  4. A 12V DC charger/ jumpstart unit to top-up the auxiliary battery if it goes dead.

In my next post I will share the mileage and trips information in detail along with many other topics.

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