If you are a vehicle owner with a relatively aged car, you are probably wondering if you should buy a new car or should you resell or even scrap your car. However, amid the push for electric vehicles, you also have another option of retrofitting your vehicle.
The state of electric vehicle retrofitting in India
India is rapidly advancing towards clean and green transportation vis-à-vis electric mobility. Although the market for internal combustion engines (ICE)) vehicles are still large and active, in the last few years, several international and domestic car manufacturers have started exploring electric mobility with the introduction of many electric cars and electric two-wheelers.
In addition, the Government of India has introduced a range of attractive incentives and subsidies to promote electric vehicles. The car manufacturing industry is also putting its weight behind significant R&D efforts in advancing components and systems capable of supporting electric vehicles.
Having said this, all the talk surrounding electric mobility is largely centered on expanding the car industry via new models of electric vehicles. Now the big question here is this – what will happen to the extensive fleet of already existing ICE vehicles?
This is where electric vehicle retrofitting can make a huge impact. For one, the government is allowing car owners to consider converting their old ICE vehicles to hybrid electric vehicles via retrofitting.
Benefits of electric vehicle retrofitting in India
There are several benefits of electric vehicle retrofitting. Consider the following;
As a customer – Retrofitting substantially lowers the cost of running your vehicle. It can help extend the lifecycle of your car, especially if it is a relatively aged car. Electric vehicle retrofitting also gives you the satisfaction of playing your role in reducing your carbon footprint.
For the government – Electric vehicle retrofitting translates into reduced crude oil consumption, a substantial cut in oil import expenditure, and lowered rates of emissions.
Both of the above-mentioned reasons collectively impact our society vis-à-vis improved public health thanks to improved air quality. In addition, it places the country in good standing globally as an active player in improving the global climate and environment.
Another advantage to consider here has to do with the fact that currently, India is still in the infancy stage of building a robust charging infrastructure. The lack of adequate charging stations is one of the leading factors in slow electric vehicle adoption in India.
For this reason, retrofitted electric vehicles can serve are early entrants to the market and help build demand for better charging and electric vehicle service infrastructure and manufacturing of localized components and batteries. It also allows car manufacturers to research usage patterns of retrofitted electric vehicles – they can use this insight in electric vehicle tech.
Top electric vehicle retrofitting companies in India
If you are considering electric vehicle retrofitting, here is a list of the top companies that offer retrofitting services or offer electric car conversion kits in India.
Some of the companies listed here include top electric vehicle startups that can help in converting a regular petrol car into an electric car.
- Hyderabad-based E-trio
- Gurugram- based Loop Moto
- Hyderabad-based EV Retron Energies
- Bengaluru-based Cell propulsion
- Hyderabad-based RACEnergy
- Delhi-based Folks Motor
- Bengaluru-based Volta Automotive
- Pune-based Northway Motorsport
- Ahmedabad-based Motor Kit
- Bosch
- Navi Mumbai-based GoGoA1
In conclusion
The number of ICE vehicles on Indian roads is expected to continue its expansion. And this is amid the focused push for green fuel adoption both at the state and central government levels. In addition to private vehicles, public transport vehicles (buses) are also expected to continue with their growth trajectory.
The continued addition of ICE vehicles and the introduction of new models of electric vehicles will do precious little to reduce the carbon footprint of our nation. Not to mention, it will lead to greater traffic congestion.
In such a scenario, it makes better sense to limit the number of electric vehicles while simultaneously pushing for electric vehicle retrofitting in India. Currently, this is a viable option to not only serve our transportation demands but to also cut down on vehicular emissions.
Lastly, retrofitting electric vehicles is the answer to the current lack of adequate charging infrastructure and the slow growth in indigenous electric vehicle technology solutions and advancements. Not to mention that electric vehicles in India are still priced relatively higher which puts them out of reach of a large section of the Indian middle-class.
Given these circumstances and factors, electric vehicle retrofitting companies in India can help push electric mobility and also play an important role in supporting government initiatives for green energy adoption.
