Kochi’s first solar auto showroom opens
Kochi: Kochi-based Life Way Solar Device Limited has opened its first showroom in the city. Soon the district will see e-rickshaws powered by the sun bringing in a decisive shift in the automobile culture of the country.
The new enterprise aimed at environment-friendly transport was born out of a consortium established by Goenco Electric Motor Vehicle limited and Lohia autos.
The solar autos are available in two variants, passenger and cargo. The passenger variant has been priced at Rs. 1.5 lakhs and the cargo variant at Rs. 1.6 lakhs.
The vehicle can also shift from solar to electric power. It is powered by a 1.5 kW motor run on a 100 Ah lithium ion battery. Solar panels fitted on the top of the one meter long and 1.5 meter wide auto hits a full charge with 6 hours of exposure and can fuel upto 80-100 km in one shot. The maximum speed will be 30 km.
The concerned authorities are planning to launch a fleet of electric autos on the same lines of the radio taxi service. The cost of running is just a percentage at mere Ps. 25 in place of the Rs. 2.75 per km in diesel autos. This five seater auto can also be converted into a car with some basic modification. Despite the non polluting nature of the vehicle it is still wanting in safety and security features.
(Video and Photographs by Aneesh K Mathew)
