Converting your car to an EV has numerous benefits, some of the most compelling reasons include the reduction of emissions, lower running costs, reduced maintenance costs, hassle-free ownership, and a longer lifespan. The conversion to electric leads to a drop in emissions, which contributes to cleaner air in the city. Cost of running an electric car is much lower compared to a traditional car with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), allowing you to recover the electric car kit price quickly. With fewer components in an electric car, there is less wear and tear, leading to reduced maintenance costs. Additionally, electric cars do not run on fossil fuels, so you won't have to worry about periodic pollution checks and procurement of PUCs. Furthermore, unlike traditional cars, there is no legal limit for scrapping an electric car.
Popular EV Conversion Kits available in India
Bosch eAxle Electric Conversion Kit
Bosch, one of the largest automobile electronic manufacturers in the world, offers an eAxle electric car kit. The kit is designed to offer an efficiency of over 96% through the use of silicon carbide semiconductors. The kit offers an output of up to 300 kW and a torque output of up to 5,000 Nm. The price of the kit is yet to be disclosed.
Loop Moto
Loop Moto offers an ARAI-certified conversion kit that is compatible with popular cars like Maruti Swift, Dzire, WagonR, Hyundai Accent, Verna, Honda Amaze, and Honda City. The kit has a range of 180 km and offers a top speed of 80 km/h. The battery capacity is rated at 17.8 kWh, and kit is priced between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.
E-Trio
E-Trio electric conversion kit is ARAI-certified and can be used for electrification of popular models like Maruti Alto, WagonR, and Dzire. Kit offers a range of up to 180 km depending on the model you choose. It is also easy to install, and the aforementioned cars can be converted to EVs using this kit in less than 48 hours. The kit is priced at Rs 4 lakh.
Bharat Kits
Bharat Kits are ARAI-certified and available for popular cars like Maruti Alto, WagonR, S-Presso, Celerio, and Dzire. Priced at Rs 5 lakh, kit offers a range of 80 km and a top speed of 80 km/h. The battery takes 4-5 hours for a full charge.
Rexnamo Electro-Electric Car Conversion Kit
Rexnamo is a Ghaziabad-based company that specializes in converting ICE-powered cars into EVs. The company has been in business for over 10 years and has already converted hundreds of cars. The price of its conversion kits ranges from Rs 2.4 lakh to Rs 5.7 lakh. Kits can be used to even restore vintage cars, from Mercedes, Porsche, etc. Kit offers a range of 80 km and a top speed of 88 km/h.
The big takeaway
Before converting your car to electric, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, an electric car has a limited range of around 180 km, which may be less than what your current car offers. Charging the car will also take much longer compared to refuelling. Converting a car to electric is not cheap and may cost more than buying a brand-new entry-level petrol car. Additionally, although the electric motor is new, other components such as suspension and parts may still be old and require costly repairs. Finally, make sure you are comfortable with the driving experience of an electric car as it may differ from driving a conventional car with a petrol or diesel engine.
