Making electric cars popular in India

[TrueSpirit]

We just need some people in the top with some vision. We are totally dependent on fossil fuels from Middle East- what will happen if there is one more war involving Iran (which is quite possible)....can we handle the spike in crude oil price? What will happen to our forex reserve if crude price reach to $200 in next 5-7 years?

I started this thread because I strongly believed we can cut down our dependency on import of crude oil by 40% through use of electric cars in Public transport and total electrification of our railway trucks. Genrating electriticy via solar and wind energy (and nuclear energy wherever possible) should be given priority.

You have captured the reason I am interested in this thread, very well. The implications, if this change could be adopted, are enormous.

 

[Sabir]

You have captured the reason I am interested in this thread, very well. The implications, if this change could be adopted, are enormous.

My humble request to the members to stay away from mud slinging threads (Hindu vs Muslim vs Christian; Cong vs BJP etc) and work on things which can lead India to become a developped nation. True, that most of us is not in a position to do much on the field; but, it is possible tomorrow some of us will reach in positions where they have the power to move things. We must have the vision within us; we must know what change we want to see....and that include all aspects related to our country. It will be nice if members consider some of the issues which can have real impact.

 

[TrueSpirit]

This is probably the best post by a foreigner

Definitely, among the best. I agree.

 

[TrueSpirit]

My humble request to the members to stay away from mud slinging threads (Hindu vs Muslim vs Christian; Cong vs BJP etc) and work on things which can lead India to become a developped nation. True, that most of us is not in a position to do much on the field; but, it is possible tomorrow some of us will reach in positions where they have the power to move things. We must have the vision within us; we must know what change we want to see....and that include all aspects related to our country. It will be nice if members consider some of the issues which can have real impact.

Amen................need to apply this to myself first

 

[ashicjose]

We just need some people in the top with some vision. We are totally dependent on fossil fuels from Middle East- what will happen if there is one more war involving Iran (which is quite possible)....can we handle the spike in crude oil price? What will happen to our forex reserve if crude price reach to $200 in next 5-7 years?

I started this thread because I strongly believed we can cut down our dependency on import of crude oil by 40% through use of electric cars in Public transport and total electrification of our railway trucks. Genrating electriticy via solar and wind energy (and nuclear energy wherever possible) should be given priority.

The main reason behind the lack of interest is I think the fear of losing the income of the government.

 

[Abhijeet Dey]

Isro, Tata Motors develop India's first fuel cell bus
PTI, July 28, 2013

BANGALORE: For the first time in the country, a Hydrogen-powered automobile bus has been developed by Tata Motors Limited (TML) and Isro after several years of research.

The hydrogen fuel-fitted bus was demonstrated at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, an Isro facility in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu.

It's a CNG-type bus. Hydrogen in bottles at high pressure is stored at the top of the bus and there would be zero pollution.

The hydrogen cells were a spin-off of the cryogenic technology that Isro had been developing for the last few years, the Bangalore-headquartered Isro officials said.

"That's not exactly the cryogenic technology...(It's) liquid hydrogen handling and that's where Isro has some expertise," they said.

Isro has a very rich technology in producing, storing and handling gaseous and liquid hydrogen in the last three decades. Its expertise is also in safety. An Isro team had generated technical specifications for all the elements and general specifications for the bus.

According to honorary adviser of Isro V Gnana Gandhi, who led the technical team in this project, Isro and TML entered into an MoU in 2006 to design and develop an automobile bus using hydrogen as a fuel through fuel cell route.

Gandhi, a Padmashree awardee and retired scientist from Isro, and Dr M Raja, DGM of TML made the announcement the two organisations have developed fuel cell bus for the first time in India, which will run on Hydrogen.

"This is a leap for automobile industry for future transportation. In this vehicle there will be zero pollution since the product of cold combustion is water. This is a result of great team work of Tata Motors and Isro specialists with contributions from DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation)," Gandhi told PTI here.

 

[tramp]

Bangalore's Reva Car Company has been building Reva electric cars since 1994 and there are many city users in Bangalore. The company was later taken over by Mahindra and the cars are now called Mahindra Reva and are exported to about 26 countries, though the volumes are low.

But India cannot aspire for an electricity based transportation revolution without revolutionizing power generation and transmission sectors.

 

[TrueSpirit]

Bangalore's Reva Car Company has been building Reva electric cars since 1994 and there are many city users in Bangalore. The company was later taken over by Mahindra and the cars are now called Mahindra Reva and are exported to about 26 countries, though the volumes are low.

But India cannot aspire for an electricity based transportation revolution without revolutionizing power generation and transmission sectors.

Latest Reva model. Beauty:

 

[tramp]

Latest Reva model. Beauty:

I have always relished the sight of Reva cars gliding noiselessly through the streets of Bangalore!!

 

[TrueSpirit]

I have always relished the sight of Reva cars gliding noiselessly through the streets of Bangalore!!

I believe Bangalore has largest number of Reva on-road in India, right ?

 

[tramp]

I believe Bangalore has largest number of Reva on-road in India, right ?

By far!
They negotiate the narrow roads effortlessly and have good acceleration also. The only problem is the distance limit per charge.

Ideally, electric cars should have battery packs that can be switched like LPG cylinders, so that the time taken for charging the battery could be saved. For eg.. if somebody has two packs, they could be alternatively used, with one plugged in for recharging while the other is in use.

Also if, like petrol stations, there are battery kiosks in different parts of the city that keep recharged battery packs which could be swapped for "empty" ones (like LPG cylinders), the range of the cars could be considerably increased and ease of use will attract more users.

 

[TrueSpirit]

By far!
They negotiate the narrow roads effortlessly and have good acceleration also. The only problem is the distance limit per charge.

Ideally, electric cars should have battery packs that can be switched like LPG cylinders, so that the time taken for charging the battery could be saved. For eg.. if somebody has two packs, they could be alternatively used, with one plugged in for recharging while the other is in use.

Also if, like petrol stations, there are battery kiosks in different parts of the city that keep recharged battery packs which could be swapped for "empty" ones (like LPG cylinders), the range of the cars could be considerably increased and ease of use will attract more users.

Your suggestions make complete sense. Especially, the first one is quite feasible. I wonder if someone is already working on it..