[SS-Traveller]

India's first international Electric Vehicle Expo, identified as "EV-EXPO", is on for 4 days between 24 and 27 December 2015 at Hall No. 14 (next to Gate No. 7) in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The Expo is tagged as Battery Rickshaw Special, with focus on battery-operated rickshaws and the ancillary industry associated with these vehicles.

The EV-EXPO was inaugurated by Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on 24 December, and is open to public from 25 to 27 December 2015.

Inaugurating the First Ever International Electric Vehicle Expo “EV-Expo” showcasing technologically advanced, pollution free, E-Vehicles, E-Rickshaws & E-Carts, Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister for Road Transport & Highways said “the Government is committed to providing clean air for citizens and will take all steps possible to introduce only eco-friendly vehicles for public transport. There is a definitive need to convert to E-Vehicles to combat vehicular pollution.”
Speaking after the inauguration and delivering his key note address at first ever EV-EXPO in India’, Nitin Gadkari said that this Electric Vehicles Expo showcasing technologically advanced, pollution free, E-Rickshaws & E-Carts is in line with Govt.’s objective to:

• To convert 10% of 2/3/4 wheel vehicles plying on the Indian roads into Hybrid/ E-Vehicles
• To curb vehicular pollution menace affecting thousands of people in Delhi
• To provide ‘Employment to All’ under Prime Minister’s Self Employment Scheme.
• To provide livelihood to 2 crore families by providing training to 2 crore drivers to drive E-Rickshaws
• To stop inhuman and degrading practice of human beings pulling another human being
• Towards realization of National Electric Mobility Mission
• To provide safe, pollution free, environment friendly, cost effective transport solution
• To boost safety, comfort, convenience and last-mile connectivity to the passengers
• To make India a pollution free country

“As part of efforts to curb pollution, the Govt. has already taken various steps. By passing of Motor Vehicles (Amendment Bill, 2015) the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has brought E-Vehicles – E-Carts, E-Rickshaws under the ambit of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.” Said Mr Gadkari

“EV –Expo is in line with the Govt’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) which aims to have 6-7 million electric/ hybrid vehicles on the road by 2020 along with a definite level of indigenization of technology ensuring India’s global leadership in E-vehicle segments.” He added.
Source

[SS-Traveller]

The Expo is loosely divided into 3 broad categories, though stalls of individual categories intermingle with each other:

• Electric rickshaws in various shapes and sizes
• The ancillary industry
• Innovations & new ideas in vehicle design

Electric Rickshaws

Most of the exhibitors are established manufacturers of very similar-looking utilitarian vehicles, while some are breaking into this rather disorganized space with trendy designs and colours. Case in point: OK Play, essentially known as toy manufacturers, whose colourful new e-rickshaws can be seen all over the venue, working as shuttles between various halls at the Pragati Maidan, where other exhibitions are also in progress.

[SS-Traveller]

E-Rickshaw Manufacturers

Among others, the notable manufacturers' stalls included

DMW from Om Balajee Automobile India Pvt. Ltd.

GEM from Goenka Electric Motor Vehicles Ltd.

The futuristic-looking King is a prototype. There were 2 prototypes of two-wheelers as well, which we shall come to later

Garud passenger and goods e-rickshaws from Elite

Mayuri from Saera Electric Auto Pvt. Ltd.

Soni passenger e-rickshaws and loaders

Speego from the company of the same name - they call themselves the King of Electric Rickshaw. I had to ask why.

The company claims to be the manufacturer of the first ICAT-approved model of e-rickshaw in Delhi, and have been in the business for about 5 years. They claim to manufacture the strongest chassis in the business, though the other ancillaries like motors, controllers and batteries are imported from China.

[SS-Traveller]

Glimpses of the stalls of some other Indian manufacturers, as well as Chinese manufacturers showcasing their products for introduction into the Indian market.

Sumfonl from China has a huge display

Electrie-One Auto Pvt. Ltd. also had a left-hand-drive golf cart on display.

The e-rickshaw is not quite a regal vehicle, but Mini Metro and this gentleman make us believe it can be.

[SS-Traveller]

The ancillary industry

Again, the ancillary components can be grouped into 3 parts:

• The batteries
• The electricals, including the motors and differentials into which they fit, controllers, and running lights
• Others - wheels, tyres, control cables and embellishments

Batteries

Big battery manufacturers have taken the initiative in foraying into the EV space, especially the e-rickshaw. Here's Exide with their stall.

I am grateful to this gentleman from Exide for his many insights into the requirements of batteries in e-rickshaws and the economics of why users perceive no additional value for a bigger brand which, though longer lasting, is also more expensive. A Chinese battery that lasts 8-9 months but costs Rs.6000 less than an Exide battery that lasts 15-18 months, makes more economical sense to the driver.

Base Batteries has a stall that showcases not only batteries, but a Formula 1 car as well.

A history of the company's outstanding achievements is listed.

Some other battery manufacturers / suppliers:

[SS-Traveller]

Electricals and other ancillaries

Motors and differentials, LED lights and meter boards, chassis parts, suspensions, wheels and tyres, even control cables, there is a large variety of manufacturers' products on display at the EV Expo. A quick glimpse of the same in pictures:

[SS-Traveller]

Some innovative ideas at the EV Expo:

Xing Tai Ping Xin from China has come up with this retrofit rear axle for the ubiquitous cycle rickshaw, which will allow it to be converted to an e-rickshaw at fairly low cost. Yet, no one at this stall spoke English, and communication was a problem. Hence further details could not be gathered.

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A company called Exito has come up with the innovative idea of installing a solar panel on the roof and a separate battery on a regular e-rickshaw. The usual habit of e-rickshaw drivers is to not use running lights at night to conserve the main battery and increase the distance covered on one charge. Whether this will be sufficient to induce e-rickshaw drivers to turn on their lights at night, remains to be seen.

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E-Star has converted an e-rickshaw into a food cart.

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Alfa Bravo Motors Ltd. has taken the concept of using solar cells one step further, retrofitting electric motors and batteries as well as a huge solar panel on to the roof of regular Bajaj auto rickshaws. They are showcasing their product as a pilot project.

[SS-Traveller]

More innovative ideas at the EV Expo:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

GEM from Goenka Electric Motor Vehicles Ltd.

The futuristic-looking King is a prototype. There were 2 prototypes of two-wheelers as well, which we shall come to later.

Goenka Electric Motor Vehicles Ltd. has showcased two prototype electric two-wheelers, called the e-champ and e-storm.

The e-champ is a low-speed (<25 kmph) two-wheeler which does not need to be registered. The e-storm is a much more powerful machine, with a top speed of 80 kmph and ability to run 80-100 km on a single charge lasting 6-7 hours.

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Yudi E Vehicle Co. Ltd. from China are showcasing a single-seat and a double-seat three-wheeler electric runabouts, that would (hopefully) take away the fear of riding a two-wheeler on our crowded streets. They claim a mileage of 50-75 km per charge.

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Sona Group has a rugged and tough-looking load carrier EV parked outside the hall, with no one to explain things. Yet, the vehicle has a certain Jeep-like appeal to it. Don't miss the fact that the steering is on the left!

[SS-Traveller]

Some facts about battery rickshaws:

• Battery-powered rickshaws by any manufacturer / importer have to be approved by ICAT before they can be registered and used on the road;
• These e-rickshaws cost between Rs.105,000 and 135,000 on the road, including registration and taxes;
• They are artificially speed-restricted not to exceed 25 kmph legally. Some approved models are not capable of speeds above 20 kmph;
• E-rickshaws are designed to carry a maximum of 4 passengers + driver + 40 kg of luggage;
• The vehicle should be driven by an electric motor, the output of which should not exceed 2000W. Most e-rickshaws come equipped with 800-1500W motors;
• Range of e-rickshaws varies from 60-100km on a single charge. Fully charging the battery takes 6-8 hours;
• The driver requires a separate commercial license and a PSV (Public Service Vehicle driver) badge to drive an e-rickshaw - the license will be issued after the driver undergoes 10 days of training while holding a learner's license, and is certified to be capable of driving the machine, by either the manufacturer of the e-rickshaw or a registered e-rickshaw / e-cart association. This pretty much rules out privately owning and running an e-rickshaw for personal purposes.

Other elevant threads related to battery rickshaws and EVs:

1.
2.
3.
4.

[Gannu_1]

Note from Support: Thread moved out to Commercial Vehicles in India section. Thanks for sharing!

[V.Narayan]

SS-Traveller, thank you for sharing this thread. Humble beginnings but then every journey starts with one step. A future dominated by Hybrids and EV's might seem far away today but I firmly believe it is closer than we think. I often read on Team BHP of a doubt or resistance to the change that is coming. In 1990 no one would have imagined in their wildest dreams that in a generation over half us Indian's would own a phone. In 1980 no one could have thought that one day in 35 short years a typical middle class Indian household would own two cars. In 1975 as a teenager I attend a day long seminar arranged by TIFR for students on 'the future with computers' (the phrase Information Technology was not in common use then) and someone spoke of a day when every household would have a computer and at that time I couldn't fathom why anyone would need a computer at home. In 1938 the then British Viceroy Lord Linlithgow wrote in a file noting that in about 25 to 30 years time we (the British) should start preparing Indians for self-rule. What does not seem plausible today suddenly comes upon us as a new tomorrow. I look forward to what the Auto Expo will look like in 2040 - maybe it will have an enthusiasts section for the IC engine.

[GTO]

Fantastic report, SS-Traveller! Thanks for sharing. Rating thread 5 stars .

Would be great if they rope in all EV / hybrid manufacturers from the scooter, bike & car segments. Having the E2O on one side and the Camry / Prius on the other would nicely round off this expo. Also, with the large number of E-Scooters, they could have an entire section to themselves!

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Base Batteries has a stall that showcases not only batteries, but a Formula 1 car as well.

For the Hispania Racing Team! Thanks - I wasn't aware of this. An F1 battery being sourced from India .

[Ashley2]

Going forward in only EV and Hybrid:
GoI is very clear about the Mission forward about EV and Hybrid and have already rolled out several incentives for the development of the EV Technology and its related engineering.
FAME - Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India - is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, is one such mission which is taking central stage and is planning to spend few thousand crores of Rupees so that we could save several thousand crores of Rupees which is currently spent on crude.

Globally currently this is a kind of big political game for switching over from Crude to EV and hybrids and OPEC also plays a good spoil play in the pricing whenever the trend of EV's are getting traction.Its to be understood only with crude many countries are surviving and any sway in the demand will make them vanish.

In case of CV's(M&HCV), taking clues from the recently concluded Bus world, Kortrijk almost every manufacturer has showed a product in EV and Hybrid. If I am not wrong Volvo have even stopped making CNG engines and have started focusing on the hybrids. But when it comes to pure Electric, the big player here is BYD, who makes batteries, Controllers, motors and of course the vehicles. When every one are speaking about 11m and 12m BYD is working 18m Vestibule and Double Deckers. BYD have partnered with Alexander Denis to supply to London and they have already bagged around 50 units order for single deck 12m buses for London.


India has currently started its journey towards EV and related engineering and wanted to be develop an indigenous sustainable model towards EV - read as without much of incentives like what Europe and China are doing (Currently China has the largest number of electric buses on road with BYD alone selling close to 2500 units last year)

Manufacturers like Ashokleyland have already stepped in this direction and is bullish with their range from Optare. Tata have already done some trials in BEST. Volvo is planning for Hybrid trails in Delhi shortly. KPIT a technology company has already showcased the retro option of converting a diesel vehicle to electric and it was unveiled by PM recently in the parliament building.
Going forward Indian public transport could see a leap forward towards EV and Hybrid if the tempo from Govt remains same.

[mrbaddy]

Fantastic Report SS. Thanks for sharing.

This thread is again tinkling the entrepreneurial parts of my mind which I have kept suppressed for the last few years.

[hybridpetrol]

GoI has given a good start with this EV Expo, though I feel this year has been mostly with 3 wheelers and some 2 wheelers.
Looks like not many conventional manufacturers are interested in this type of expo. IMHO, only when the mainstream manufacturers commit themselves to the EV we will be able to see significant change in the market towards the acceptance of EV in general.
For instance, unless Bajaj, Mahindra, Tata are able to commit themselves to EVs and allot significant research budget towards it, we cannot see much light weight carriers (CV or passenger carriers) converting to electric any quicker.
New start-ups are doing commendable job in this area - however, their reach and the acceptance will be less.
As GTO mentioned, I expected to see some good prototypes of electric cars and two wheelers as a general public. Honestly, if I had visited this expo in person, I would have returned rather disappointed. Nevertheless, good efforts for the first year.

By the way, I am unable to comprehend this one objective of Govt. for this expo (taken from the quoted article in OP):

• To stop inhuman and degrading practice of human beings pulling another human being

Can anyone elaborate its relevance to the EVs?