Hybrid bike with a buzz
GREEN SWITCHEROO z LD Engineering student Hardik Lakhlani rides on a new wave of power by tweaking his petrol-fuelled Scooty to run on battery at the switch of a button
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, April 14, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=20090414200904140226482861f8ed095)
Go green and save money, too. These were the objectives Hardik Lakhlani had in mind when he decided on a do-it-yourself project and started splicing circuits to create the first petrol-electric Scooty hyb
rid. The final year student of automobile engineering from L D Engineering College tweaked his two-wheeler to run on battery power when the speed was low. That doesn’t make the hybrid wimpy. The need for speed is powered by fuel at the switch of a button. Its top speed touches 110 kilometre per hour (kmph).
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Tuesday, April 14, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=20090414200904140226482861f8ed095)
Go green and save money, too. These were the objectives Hardik Lakhlani had in mind when he decided on a do-it-yourself project and started splicing circuits to create the first petrol-electric Scooty hyb
rid. The final year student of automobile engineering from L D Engineering College tweaked his two-wheeler to run on battery power when the speed was low. That doesn’t make the hybrid wimpy. The need for speed is powered by fuel at the switch of a button. Its top speed touches 110 kilometre per hour (kmph).Hardik says, “I often wondered what two-wheeler riders would do if their battery ran out or if the tank ran dry in the middle of nowhere. An e-bike had no fuel tank and a petrol-run bike had no battery but I wanted the best of both. Keeping this in mind, I decided to modify my Scooty.”
ALL CHARGED UP
The 21-year-old also wanted an option that would save fuel and hence, save money. “It is better to use battery power to ride at a speed below 30 kilometre per hour (kmph). So, I began modifying the front wheel and connected it to the battery. I also installed a battery charger in the vehicle. The most important feature, however, is a button above the horn to switch between battery and petrol. I also installed a circuit breaker to eliminate chances of a short circuit.”After 15 days, Hardik’s hybrid bike was ready. His wallet lighter by Rs 10,000. But he definitely has long-term savings in mind. “I installed a 48-volt battery which will need 4-5 hours to be charged completely. The cost is a measly Rs 5. And, the battery charge lasts for 60 kilometres.”For every litre of petrol burned, 2.36 kg carbon dioxide is produced. “Imagine the clean environment you can enjoy if this idea is a hit. The petrol option is secondary in case you get stuck somewhere,” explained Hardik.
ONE FOR ALL
HE claims the batteries can be installed in any two-stroke vehicle. “A heavier vehicle will need a more powerful battery,” said Hardik, who does not intend to stop here. The youth plans to get in touch with TVS, the maker of Scooty, and “ask them to include the electric option in their fuel-driven two-wheelers”. “A two-strike e-bike costs anything between Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000. And a Scooty costs around Rs 35,000. Bike-makers can introduce this green option for a slightly higher price. People will definitely opt for it as it is cheaper in the long run,” said Hardik, who is now thinking of a way to help his vehicle switch over to fuel the moment the speed needle touches 30 kmph, and return to battery when the needle drops.
