Entrepreneurs taking up initiatives to bring down cost of e-bikes

Given the relative success that Reva Electric Car has achieved and with M&M and Tata Group looking at an lineup of electric vehicles in its portfolio, the scenario in India of entrepreneurs looking to play in this sector is growing. Reva Electric Car has been growing in strength and after M&M taking this company under its fold, it is expected that the costs will come down so will the network of sales and service will expand.

One more of Bangalore’s entrepreneurial set up Eko Vehicles is expected to come under the fold of US-based NEAH Power. And with more and more people expected to buy electric vehicles, the market is expected to move forward. According to industry data, around 200,000 electric two wheelers are being sold with only a handful of players like BSA Motors, Yo Bykes, Ultra Motors being the large national players.

such a scenario, one more player — iBike — from Bangalore has emerged on the scenario in an effort to spread the concept of clean energy. i-Bike started by two entrepreneurs — Sandeep Dama and R Manikantan — has started rolling out its network of dealership for their range of bikes. The company has set up an assembly unit at Jigani with motors, the main component, being imported from China.

“While there has been an overall growth of the E-bike market in the last three years, the market is still very small compared to the petrol 2-wheeler market. We want to go out to the market and establish ourselves stating that we are here for the long run,” said Dama. The e-bike market, besides the established players, has been facing some problems due to some individual players being just importers and not being able to service post the sale, which has left a bitter taste with the consumers. “We want to change this and offer a network of service as we grow,” added Dama.

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Review on Eko Strike From Eko Vehicles

The review was shared by Mr.Desouza who had once pleaded the "Supreme court of India" to promote electric vehicles @ http://www.evhub.in/content/petition-to-supreme-court-of-india-to-issue-direction-to-government-to-promote-electric-vehicles/

In his word's " I own a EKO Strike for 63 days now. I advocated  profusely in favour of e0bikes to everyone I met. However, my confidence is belied. Battery replacement is one aspect that will dissuade any  person  who is the  most committed EV protagonist.

On the 60th day the battery of the vehicle I own began overheating & terminals  turned bluish. There is one year warranty so, for the moment I shall not bother. In case this recurs after warranty with batter cost being Rs 9800 vehicle cost Rs.25000, considering the period of unused state it does not become evonomical at all.

Further, one aspect that probably EVs will never be able to answer. That is sustained powerband performance. In an IC Engine till, the last drop of fuel the torque/power is uniform. IC engine develops its own power that is captive & uniform. Whereas, electric motor does not produce its own power but depends on enery from a stored source. When the stored source has ample energr motor produces excellent torque & power. When souece progressively depletes, the torque & power too depletes.

Further, gradient climbing ability is again a restricting factor. Vehicle will have to beridden or driven  within that climbing limit. If one exceeds, either motor will burn or batteries will be impaired due to over heating.. There has to be a cut off mechanism if motor or battery is overloaded. Manufacturer should advise buyers to operate within  specified climbing gradient. Even use of LIthium ion. LiMn or LiFePO4 batteries may improve the performance but, considering the high cost, it can never be a mass appeal option. Unless EVs  become one of mass appeal there will never be a suces for EVs.

Pollution or no pollution, in sustained torque/power capability, IC Engines will continue to rule!

With these limitations that have not been addressed yet, EVs at best will be  a stand by mode of conveyance & not prime ones! "

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America based Fuel cells developer NEAH Power signs letter of intent with Bangalore based Eko Vehicles, to explore acquisition or merger plans

US based fuel cells developer; NEAH Power reported Friday that it had signed a letter of intent with Indian firm, Eko Vehicles, for a possible merger or acquisition. The Bangalore based Eko Vehicles is a manufacturer of two-wheeled electric vehicles and its agreement with the US based firm will see the two firms explore potential acquisition or merger plans.

The plan will see NEAH Power gain access to the Indian markets from which it is hopeful of increased demand for its fuel cells for a wide range of purposes, from military and industrial applications in India and Asia at large. The US firm is a manufacturer of fuel cells for the military and portable electronic gadgets. The letter of intent, according to NEAH Power, may as well result in its acquisition of the Bangalore based firm.

However, no details were given over the investment transaction. Even so, NEAH Power reiterated that if the merger or acquisition is successful, the resultant entity will be in a position to offer more prospects for growth and expansion of the firm’s product lines and global business. It is also understood that the two firms are as well carrying out due diligence studies in a bid to establish the viability and structure of the entity to be formed.

Chris D’Couto, president and chief executive officer, NEAH Power, said the firm plans to take the synergistic partnership between the two firms to new levels. He reiterated that, other than the fuel cells for electric wheelers, NEAH Power is hopeful of an increase in demand for its fuel cells in India with a presence.

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US-based Neah Power may acquire EKO Vehicles

US-based Neah Power Systems has announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Bangalore-based Eko Vehicles, a manufacturer of electric two wheelers to explore acquisition or merger plans. Neah Power Systems is into development of fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices. No transaction details were disclosed.

According to a statement from Neah Power Systems, this combined venture is expected to provide additional opportunities for the expansion of product lines and global growth. Both companies are undertaking due diligence efforts to determine the viability and the structure of the combination.

Eko Vehicles, is a 3-decade-old company based in Bangalore with experience in non-polluting powered vehicle design, testing and manufacturing, industrial consulting and business management. The company is developing “Rapid Battery Charging Stations” at several locations in Bangalore and Mysore to enable customers to charge Eko electric vehicles in under 15 minutes. EKO is planning to introduce electric three-seater, three-wheeler and four-seater, omni-type four-wheelers with the same capabilities.

The company is understood to have mandated PriceWaterhouseCoopers to raise around Rs 25 crore as part of its expansion plans. According to investment bankers, Mahindra & Mahindra were also understood to have shown interest in having an alliance with Eko Vehicles.

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NEAH and India's EKO Vehicles to Explore Merger and Acquisition Opportunities to Facilitate Global Growth

NEAH Power Systems, the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, announced today it has signed a letter of intent to explore acquisition or merger plans with EKO Vehicles of Bangalore, Private Limited, India's leading technology producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles. This combined venture is expected to provide additional opportunities for the
expansion of product lines and global growth. Both companies are undertaking due diligence efforts in order to determine the viability and the structure of the combination.

NEAH had previously announced a customer relationship with EKO to build fuel cells for EKO's electric scooter product line. The third generation of EKO product is currently being sold in Asia and will shortly be available in the United States and Europe. "We intend to take the synergistic relationship between Neah and EKO to new levels. In addition to the fuel cells for electric two wheelers, we see high demand for Neah's fuel cells for a variety of military and industrial applications in India and Asia, and this relationship could enable us to meet this demand. Our micro fuel cells may eventually replace batteries for most uses," said Dr. Chris D'Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power.

"We welcome NEAH's technology and we share the common goal of reducing the levels of air and noise pollution, provide cost effective power solutions for two wheeler and four wheeler applications, and enable global growth for our products," said Mr. Anil Ananthakrishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EKOVEHICLES Pvt. Ltd.

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Bangalore based EKO Vehicles has launched hybrid vehicles , named Strike and ET-120.
ET-120 uses a 70 CC petrol and electric motor to power the bike. The drive range is 120 km per litre. The price range will be around Rs. 40,000 and a maximum speed of 65 kmph with a gradient  climbing capability of  8 degree.

Bangalore based EKO Vehicles has launched hybrid vehicles , named Strike and ET-120.
ET-120 uses a 70 CC petrol and electric motor to power the bike. The drive range is 120 km per litre. The price range will be around Rs. 40,000 and a maximum speed of 65 kmph with a gradient  climbing capability of  8 degree.