[TusharK]

Flipkart has said that it aims to replace nearly 40% of existing last mile delivery vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) by March 2020. The e-commerce company is expected to add 160 electric delivery vans by the end of 2019.



Flipkart claims to have conducted multiple pilots for EV deployment in its supply chain in the last 6 months. The company will be working closely with manufacturers to design suitable electric delivery vehicles and plans to set up charging infrastructure at its hubs.

Flipkart has already deployed 8 EVs in Hyderabad, 10 in New Delhi and 30 e-bikes in Bangalore. With the introduction of more EVs, the company expects to reduce its carbon emissions by over 50%.

Link to Team-BHP News

[sreeharipv]

Kudos! Can't wait to have our cabs and three wheelers to be all EVs. India need to realise sunlight is the new oil and the potential that comes with it. We have certain unique opportunities that the western world simply doesn't have like more than 300 sunny days. I think these boxy vehicles can put solar panels on top and extend their range 20-30% considering how little they run and how long they are in the sun.

[GTO]

to Flipkart.

Originally Posted by sreeharipv

I think these boxy vehicles can put solar panels on top and extend their range 20-30% considering how little they run and how long they are in the sun.

From my limited knowledge of EVs, solar panels on top of the vehicle won't really add that kind of range. The charge is very minimal - like for operating an accessory or something. Neither is it cost effective, nor practical (vis a vis plain old charging).

[sreeharipv]

Originally Posted by GTO

to Flipkart.



From my limited knowledge of EVs, solar panels on top of the vehicle won't really add that kind of range. The charge is very minimal - like for operating an accessory or something. Neither is it cost effective, nor practical (vis a vis plain old charging).

You are right when it comes to a passenger car with all its curves and aesthetics. Its really not worth putting Solar Panels on them.

But the case for delivery vehicles and buses are different.

For their foot print, they can optimistically be fitted with 1 kW of solar with slight modifications. 1 kW equates to 4 to 6 kWh of energy per day with full exposure to sun. This translates to 40 - 50 km for the Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle that they really are. This is a unique opportunity for India because we have these lower powered vehicles, the slowest traffic anywhere in the world and 300 days of blazing sun.