Since Electric Vehicles are slow to come by (Except Mahindra E20), why can't we try and convert our existing automobiles (mainly cars) into electric-hybrid vehicles that can run on both electric/battery power and petrol/diesel? The technology to do this has already been developed by a company called Electric Vehicle India (EVI).
Electric cars have their advantages & limitations, but one excellent thing is, they can be powered using solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. Ford is experimenting with placing solar panels on car-roof and amplifying the amount of sunlight that reaches the panels using concentrators, in order to generate sufficient electricity to fully power their car. While it's a great concept, it will take some time for commercial production and will take even more time to come to India.
A hybrid system, on the other hand will run on petrol/diesel, but will also run on electric motor/battery. Customers will have the option to choose between the two, anytime. A technology like this might make electric vehicle adoption faster and easier.
The Electric Drive system developed by Electric Vehicle India (EVI) is already available and can enable you to convert your existing cars into electric-hybrid vehicles, today. There are some restrictions to do that in India, but the company seems to be looking for partnering with tier-1 OEMs and fleet-owners in order to provide customized solutions. Of course, any support/subsidy from the Government might help further this vision, even further.
Let's hope we'll shortly be able to go to a shop, attach the retrofitting kit, and convert our car into an electric car and power it using solar panels, shortly. Similar to how a CNG kit is fixed into vehicles, today. If customers show interest, I am sure vehicle manufacturers will incorporate this technology at OEM level or at least will provide an option. The big question is: Do customers want it?
Do you want it?
Then ask for it!
More details on this technology is available here or from their website.
