Manipur scientist develops prototype EV kit from old cars

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 12 (EMN): A Manipur scientist has being reported to have successfully developed a prototype electric vehicle (EV) kit for the conversion of old or polluting diesel / petrol cars into a pure electric vehicle. He is said to have set a target to have a zero-emission transportation system.
According to senior scientist Robindro Lairenlakpam of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) who conducted the experiment said that the EV kit supported by 48V and 100AH lithium ion battery with the appropriate motor will replace the engine of the old vehicle particularly old Indian cars.
A fully-charged battery can run up to 30 km with the highest speed of 42Km/hour, Robindro said over phone. This will help in confronting energy security, Climate Change and noxious emissions in Indian roads. The EV conversion kit was developed under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), he said.
Interestingly as of now 80% of fuel is being imported from other countries and only 20% is being generated from within the country against the government’s aim of reducing crude oil import by 10%, according to reports.
By 2020, the NEMMP wants to ensure a vehicle population of 6-7 million electric and hybrid vehicles in India. By 2030, it is envisioning a scenario when all vehicles on the country’s roads are powered by electricity as the number of privately-owned motorised vehicles in India is likely to reach 500 million by 2030.
Saying the the production of such electronic kits would also contribute to achieving the country’s target, Robindro said that the main advantage of the converter kit was that it can convert a fuel vehicle into a zero-smoke vehicle, that too cost-effectively.
The CSIR scientist based in Dehradun also informed that the project’s technology was still being improved and upgraded; it envisages a calibre that can reach a distance of 100 km. Besides, the authorities in concern are planning to make available the conversion kit in the market.
The EV has the potential to dramatically cut the demand for fossil fuels in the country, according to India’s draft national energy policy. “If most Indian vehicles are electric by 2030, pollution levels in cities could drop 80%-90%, and India could save $100 billion, a sum over two times larger than the current defence budget,” the draft policy said.
It was during the previous year that the Union minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari had asked the automobile industry in the country to venture into electric vehicles considering the issue of pollution etc.