: Maharashtra Man Converts Activa Into EV That Runs 60 Km/Hr, Cuts Cost By 40% #IndiaNEWS #Electric Vehicles Between 2019 and 2020, the electric vehicle market in India registered a growth of 129%.

Maharashtra Man Converts Activa Into EV That Runs 60 Km/Hr, Cuts Cost By 40% #IndiaNEWS #Electric Vehicles
Between 2019 and 2020, the electric vehicle market in India registered a growth of 129%. Moreover, optimistic predictions claim that electric vehicles would dominate the Indian vehicle market in the coming decade.
Ever increasing fuel prices, which have skyrocketed in the early months of 2021, have compelled many potential buyers to consider buying EVs, be it a two-wheeler or a car. However, EVs face limitations in being able to cover long distances and demand long charging hours. The anxiety makes customers feel sceptical about shifting to the technology entirely.
But what if, instead of buying a new EV and breaking up with fuel altogether, you could retrofit your vehicle and get the best of both worlds? Omkar Thale, a software engineer from Panvel in Maharashtra, has just achieved this feat in a small garage in his backyard.
The 31-year-old software engineer has modified a Honda Activa, which functions as both a petrol as well as an electric vehicle. It will be interesting to note that Omkar started the project as a hobby, and went almost bankrupt in his pursuit, before coming up with a successful model.
Omkar working on bike.
The moped can switch modes between petrol and electric even between the ride and can travel up to 85 km on a single charge. The top speed is 60 km/hr and has already run a distance of 9,000 km over the past few months, while it awaits approvals from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). Moreover, the cost of retrofitting the vehicle is 40% less than buying a new one. It can also help you cut down on toxic emissions.
An idea sparked by childhood hobbies
Speaking with The Better India, Omkar says he was never inclined towards turning his hobby into a full-time business. “I joined a Thane-based software company in 2010 and commuted to work by car, covering a distance of 45 km. I used to spend a lot of money on fuel, and it was an unaffordable affair. I hated waiting in a queue for hours to fill CNG in the vehicle. I quit my job in 2017 to start a software company in Panvel with eight employees,??? he says.
Omkar says that between his commute and regretting spending money on fuel, he started thinking of solutions. “Stuck in traffic, I used to think of multiple ways that could help reduce the fuel cost by replacing regular vehicles with electric motors. But the idea never materialised,??? he adds.
“Fortunately, the company bagged a client from the USA, and we worked night shifts,??? he says. As he remained free during the day, Omkar started working on installing batteries and motors on bicycles. “It is my childhood hobby to break down electrical components of toys and understand their mechanism.

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