This is indeed a moment of reckoning for vehicle owners in India. The government has labored to bring in tougher regulation against aged vehicles at a time of historically high fuel prices. Concerns about the environment abound as many Indian cities suffer from poor air quality. Fuel and maintenance costs often act as a deterrent for aspiring vehicle owners in the country. At such a time, if you own a vehicle that is showing its age, converting it to an electric vehicle can be the answer that solves multiple problems at the same time.
For an audience that is just waking up to the charm of EVs, EV conversion is a topic that is even more esoteric. However, there are many companies in India doing wonderful work with EV conversion that can help give your aging vehicle a new lease of life. In this article, we will look into what the EV conversion process entails, why it can be good for you, and wherein India you can get this done professionally with great results.
Let us take a deeper look into the process of EV conversion.
What is EV Conversion?
While the drivetrain and internal components of ICE vehicles and electric vehicles are radically different, the basic physical structure is often the same. This means that the chassis and structure of an existing ICE vehicle can be converted into an electric vehicle by changing the drivetrain and other relevant components. In this process, the ICE system and its components are removed from the vehicle and replaced by electric motors, batteries, and other internal components that are commonly found in electric vehicles.
It is important that customers looking to convert their ICE vehicles to electric vehicles do this using a professional service. Since EVs are built from the ground up with electric drivetrains in mind, there can be quite a few important considerations and nuances that need looking after while converting ICE vehicles to EVs. EV conversion companies with experience in the field can do a good job of respecting these considerations and coming up with a converted vehicle that is performant, safe, and reliable.
The process of EV conversion needs to be developed, tested, and streamlined separately for each model of vehicle. This is why EV conversion companies in India typically offer their services only for a handful of vehicle models at a time. However, that list is increasing and will grow to cover more of the market in the coming years.
Benefits of EV Conversion
There are several important benefits to EV conversion that can be a compelling reason for you to consider it.
- Better for the environment – One of the most intriguing incentives to switch to an EV is the lessened impact on the environment. With ICE vehicles, emissions will always be a concern. With rising pollution levels, switching to an electric vehicle platform is, for sure, the responsible thing to do if you want to do your bit in caring for the environment.
- Cheaper running costs – With skyrocketing fuel prices, a major incentive to switch to an EV is the cheaper running costs. If you factor in the cost of electricity for charging, EVs are an order of magnitude cheaper to run than ICE vehicles and your initial investment will pay for itself completely in a matter of years.
- Less maintenance – Since electric vehicles have less complicated moving parts and do not involve combustion, EV parts wear less over time. Maintenance costs, therefore, tend to be lower in general. You would also have to service your vehicle less frequently, which provides added convenience and usability.
- Improved driving experience – Electric vehicles are gearless and provide instant torque. For city use, both are major conveniences. Gearless driving saves you the hassle of having to frequently change gears in low-speed traffic while the rush of torque makes overtaking a breeze.
- Silent cabin – Electric vehicles make very little noise, so you can enjoy your drive in peace and quiet inside a near-silent cabin.
Best EV Conversion Companies in India
Here, we showcase some of the companies in India doing an exemplary job of EV conversion and making a difference.
LoopMoto
LoopMoto has many years of expertise with EV conversion and designing custom-made electric drivetrain solutions for a variety of vehicles. Their portfolio involves both conversion kits and turnkey conversion solutions for bicycles, four-wheelers, and commercial vehicles.
For hatchbacks and sedans, LoopMoto makes use of a 15kw 3-phase AC motor coupled with a 17.8kWh LiFePO4 battery with a smart battery management system. This system translated to a real-world range of up to 180kms with a top speed of 80kmph. The 3.3kw AC charger makes it easy to charge the vehicle from a home outlet or fast chargers.
The kit works with a wide range of popular consumer vehicles models from Maruti, Hyundai, and Honda among other brands. LoopMoto offers specialized EV conversion services all over India, with centers in most major Indian cities and states.
GoGoA1
Best known for their excellent conversion kit for the popular Hero Splendor, GoGoA1 has been innovating fully electric and hybrid conversion systems for two, three, and four-wheelers for many years now. Their USP is centered mostly around two-wheeler models where with only a few parts changed, they can provide an electric experience with proper RTO approval.
They currently have conversions kits in stock and can create a customized conversion plan for their customers at their authorized conversion centers. Another exciting aspect of their operation is that they expect to be able to provide this service for a large number of popular motorcycle and scooter models with full RTO approval in the near future. Their kits use BLDC hub motors that are rated for performance and longevity.
Folks Motor
Folks Motor is interesting as it calls itself India’s first hybrid EV conversion company. The advantages of a hybrid system include better fuel economy, no range anxiety, and lower running costs. For many customers, a jump to a pure electric vehicle might be a step too far. For them, it is ideal to first move to a hybrid system to get a taste of what an EV can do.
Folks Motor can convert any petrol or diesel ICE vehicle into a hybrid vehicle with some very interesting features. At the heart of this is their proprietary Hybrid ReGen Drive tech. This tech charges the battery while the vehicle uses fuel for driving. Depending on the model of battery, you can get up to 50km range while driving in pure EV mode, which also enables you to drive gearless while the vehicle is in neutral.
The conversion comes with a two-year comprehensive warranty and customers have the choice of purchasing the kit or a converted car. The USP is the cheap cost of conversion, which can be a major incentive for existing older ICE vehicle owners.
Altigreen
Altigreen has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to EV conversion. Their patented technology is the result of extensive R&D in the field. Their electric motor generates 8.25kw of power and can operate across a wide range of temperatures. It uses a closed-loop torque control technique that Field Oriented Control (FOC) to achieve excellent performance and efficiency.
Altigreen also specialized in designing unique EV transmissions that facilitate the efficient transfer of power from the drivetrain to the wheels. They offer a feature-loaded vehicle management system that uses telematics and IoT technology to provide vehicle analytics, maintenance alerts, driver behavior profiles, and more. Combined with their state-of-the-art LiFePO4 battery packs, this is a win-win scenario for the customers.
Bosch eAxle
Bosch is already a household name in the automotive field. With its made-in-India eAxle system, customers have the chance of converting their ICE cars into purely electric vehicles with brand-name components. The conversion kit features a 115bhp electric motor and a 10kwH battery pack, capable of producing up to 200 Nm of torque.
The kit comes with all relevant electrical components, a thermal management system, and onboard diagnostics. The whole system is designed to easily fit existing ICE vehicles with efficient use of available space and minimum change to the structural framework of the vehicle. The kit also comes with a revamped steering system and braking system to make the most of the electric drivetrain.
Branded converted Bosch eAxle vehicles are soon to be made available to the public as the company is currently in talks with OEMs to establish a firm business in India. As older ICE vehicles become more of a burden on owners, this system is sure to be a hit as it comes with the reputed Bosch name that Indian customers already trust.
In Conclusion
With these EV conversion companies in India doing exemplary work in 2022 helping give a new lease of life to older ICE vehicles, it can be a great idea for vehicle owners to consider taking the plunge and entering the growing and wonderful domain of electric vehicles this way. This can be a great way to experience the benefits of owning an electric vehicle without having to purchase a new one.
Image from Pixabay
