Students transform old 2-wheeler into e-vehicle

PUNE: Now anyone can go green with their two-wheeler without actually having to buy a new one! In a recent project, students of DY Patil College of Engineering, Akurdi, retrofitted an old two-wheeler, converting it into an electric vehicle. This project was awarded ‘Project with Best Product Ability’ prize in the National Competition held at Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering, Lavale, recently.

Utkarsha Bankar, Vikrant Harankhede, Ajay Jawale and Anurag Katre were involved in the project. Assistant Professor Rahul Ralebhat from Department of Mechanical Engineering guided the students along with Punit Hegde of Green Drive India. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Ralebhat mentioned that these students have retrofitted an old ‘Spirit’ two-wheeler and turned it into a pure electric vehicle.

“This was done by removing internal combustion (IC) engine and transmission system and further doing certain required modifications. The electric bike runs on Lithium-ion battery which once charged fully runs the bike for 50 kilometres. Students have been working on this project for the past six months,” said Ralebhat. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Utkarsha Bankar, a student working on the project, said that the retrofitted bikes can be used by food delivery businesses.

“As these food delivery persons have a smaller radius, they can use these retrofitted electric vehicles. The overall expenditure per kilometre is not more than 15 paise, plus the business can encash on ‘Go Green’ motto,” said Bankar.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Vikrant Harankhede, another project member, said that the fact that an existing bike was used to make the electric vehicle, made it more eco-friendly.

“We know that after 20 years of use, the two-wheelers create a lot of pollution. But now we can reuse such bikes for smaller distances. Moreover, the bike we have designed follows international sustainable development goals,” said Harankhede.

AK Hirve, a retired RBI official helped students with his old bike and other required finances for the project work. This team has been approached by a few financers for possible investment for mass production.

RS Hingole, Head, Mechanical Engineering Department, DG Khairnar, Chief advisor of DYP Urja Club, P Malathi, Vice-Principal and Vijay Wadhai, Principal of the College, congratulated the team for their work and their achievement. Col SK Joshi, Campus Director, and Satej D Patil, Chairman of the institute, also congratulated the team for their achievement.