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PluginIndia Electric Vehicles

e-Trio : A Startup that converts your "Pollution car" into an Electric Car

29/10/2019

62 Comments

 
By Abhishek Uchil
​PluginIndia recently took a trip to Hyderabad, the city of nawabs and of high technology. In fact, our hotel was in an area synonymous with the latter – Hitec City! That’s where we found ourselves, bleary-eyed after a long overnight bus ride that had brought us into Hyderabad from Bangalore. But we had little time to laze about in our hotel rooms because we had to go check out e-Trio, the only Indian company offering ARAI-certified electric vehicle (EV) conversion kits for your car!
First, some background: Sathya Yalamanchili founded the company with a vision to motivate car buyers to convert their regular cars into electric cars instead of buying new cars. The idea was that this would not only reduce the number of cars on the road, thus mitigating congestion, but also contribute to reducing noise and air pollution by taking loud, exhaust-pipe-wielding petrol/diesel clunkers off the road and replacing them with quiet zero-emission EVs. After three years of R&D, the company started developing EV conversion kits, and in 2018, it received the ARAI’s permission to retrofit the Maruti Alto, Wagon R, and Dzire. Recently, it also received ARAI permission to retrofit the Tata Ace, a cargo loader. That’s right, the Mahindra eSupro isn’t the only cargo loader you can buy anymore!
Picture
Your's truly in a Maruti Alto Electric Car
We visited e-Trio’s sales office bright and early in the morning and were greeted by Mr Kushal, who accompanied us to the factory. Before we left, however, we caught a glimpse of a retrofitted Wagon R with the company’s badging all over it. Behind it was a Mercedes that belonged to one of the company heads that cost a cool one million USD! The journey was uneventful, but I wasn’t prepared for what I would see when I finally arrived at the factory: Rows and rows of retrofitted EVs all lapping up electrons from their own charging stations! We saw several Wagon Rs, a Dzire, a Tata Ace, and even a red e2o, which we later found out belonged to Mr Uttiya Mukherjee, the technical director of e-Trio.
We also saw the e-Trio, Mahindra’s electric autorickshaw. Boy, an e-Trio and an e-Treo! How does anyone keep their heads straight around that concept over here? We met Mr Mukherjee in his office, and he walked us through the company’s vision and plans before he took us on a tour of the plant.

Inside, we saw many more Wagon Rs and Dzires being retrofitted, along with the company’s own electric autorickshaw, which will be launched soon. It was sleek and perfectly designed to dart through city traffic, like a good autorickshaw should (I certainly preferred it to the bulky Bajajes we have in Bombay). There was a whole line of vintage cars inside (no, they weren’t waiting to be converted; they just belonged to one of the company heads), including the Fiat 1100, India’s very own Premier Padmini!
​Who can forget taking taxi rides in the stinky back seats of these old gems? If I could convert any car into an EV, I’d choose the Padmini, unquestionably.
Picture
Rows of converted Maruti's along with an e2o!
Mr Mukherjee told us that the kit comprises of
  • Battery
  • Motor
  • Traction Controller
  • DC-DC converter
  • Onboard Charger
  • DC Fast charger port
  • Aux parts like Power Steering
  • Gear Box designed by them
They also modify the suspension to take care of the added weight.

The conversion kits e-Trio offers: the EV-150 (150 km range) and the EV-180 (180 km range). To convert an Alto using the former kit, one would have to cough up about 6 lac rupees – and another 2 lacs if one wants the company to source the car as well. Sure, that seems a bit expensive, but don’t forget that a new car will also cost you about the same amount, if not more when you opt for more safety features, automatic transmission, etc. There’s also the fuel cost to account for. A new petrol car will cost you about 2,50,000 rupees (at 5 rupees/km) to drive 50,000 km, whereas an EV will cost you about 50,000 rupees or less (at 1 rupee or less/km).
​Add in maintenance costs for a petrol car, and you’re looking at expenses of 3,00,000 lac rupees, if not more. Six lacs doesn’t seem like such a bad amount now, does it?

​Mr Mukherjee told us that the company will provide full telematics support for all its EVs. This was heartening news because few other EV companies are offering this support these days. Mahindra stopped providing telematics support for its EV line-up after a few years of doing so. The company seems determined to squander all the goodwill it acquired when it bought Reva. It’s not surprising that that the downhill slide began after it let go Mr. Chetan Maini, the effing founder of Reva!


Anyway, e-Trio will monitor its retrofitted cars remotely and automatically alert drivers if there’s a problem with the car. The software will also collect data on driving and charging patterns and analyse the data to help the company keep improving its technology. No word yet on whether the company will have its own app for users to remotely lock/unlock the car, turn the AC on/off, and other cool stuff, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed. After all, a true EV is a computer on wheels! The technology aspect is a big draw for many potential buyers, and no company can afford to ignore it. It’s the reason why Tesla’s cars are outselling General Motors’ Chevy Bolt, an ostensibly good EV.
Picture
The PluginIndia team finds it difficult to see a 'Maruti' being charged!
Now I know what you’re thinking – did we just talk, talk, talk, or did we actually drive any of the cars? You bet we did! I got to drive the retrofitted Wagon R, and it was a bizarre experience. The Wagon R is one of the best-selling hatchbacks in India, but it’s hardly what you’d call elegant; at best, it’s functional. But replacing that awful ICE engine with a motor and batteries can make a world of difference. I turned the key, and instead of the usual vroom as the engine started, there was a soft beep! The car had turned on. Next, all I had to do was turn this really cool circular silver dial on the centre console from Neutral to Drive, and I was good to go. I gently depressed the accelerator and was shocked when the vehicle took off without a sound. It was a smooth ride, although the steering was a bit stiff. Mr Mukherjee told us that that when e-Trio converted the car, they really meant it! They took out everything, leaving only the exoskeleton. I believed this when driving the car. In addition to an e2o, I own a petrol Wagon R, and my experience of driving the electric Wagon R was totally different.

Finally

Mr. Nitish Bhandari, the COO informed us that the company will be opening franchises in Tier 1 cities in India, which means you no longer need to take your car to Hyderabad for a conversion. Just take it to your nearest franchisee, pay up, and in about a week you’ll drive out with your old/new EV!
Overall, we were incredibly impressed with the work e-Trio is doing, and I certainly hope that retrofitting will become a dominant trend in the EV world. A future where you can drive any ICE car – not just a Maruti – into an e-Trio branch; choose your preferred range and other EV features; and drive out with an ARAI-certified, connected EV is one I want to be a part of. Thanks e-Trio for this opportunity, and we can’t wait to bring you more news from this exciting company!
62 Comments
Chaney Sekharan
29/10/2019 08:13:37 pm

E-Trio and E-Treo confusion!!! Luckily, retrofitted EV emblazoned with logo and company clarifies, which is correct.
Exciting to hear ARAI certification. Probably you could have touched upon FAME II incentive possibilities - Yes or No - for such retrofitting.

Reply
Kamlesh Mallick
30/10/2019 10:21:18 am

Stay tuned on video on the channel coming soon and will be embedded in this blog too. They talk about FAME 2

Reply
Abhishek U
29/10/2019 09:10:09 pm

Haha, looks like we couldn't wrap our heads around e-Trio and e-Treo either!

Reply
Joe Basker link
30/10/2019 11:11:46 am

I am interested. Please send me more information. Thanks.

Reply
Kamlesh
30/10/2019 04:11:50 pm

Which car do you have?

Reply
PIARE LAL KAPOOR
21/10/2022 02:13:57 pm

I am interested in Scorpio car diesel getting converted into electrical car. Is it possible? if yes then at what price, and address of the installation unit.

Ajit Singh
16/11/2019 04:54:56 pm

Dear Sir.... I want to open e charging station at my land please contact me at my number 9215333341 or else give me a contact number.

Reply
Rohan Patil
26/11/2019 04:38:52 pm

Tesla Electric Truck Revealed

https://youtu.be/L3nIeEuRzzc

Reply
Selva Kumar
3/12/2019 02:18:39 pm

I am interested in retro fitting. Pls guide me

Reply
Aninda Bhattacharya link
2/1/2020 08:59:36 pm

I require a electric kit

Reply
G.Velusamy
9/1/2020 12:12:11 pm

I need to convert my Honda brio s car in to electric what will be price,and Iam living at chennai. tamilnadu government permitting the retrofitting.I saw ur video u are going to set all metros ur retfitting office.you have any idea of giving FRANCHISE to chennai.pl.reply me.

Reply
N Kumar
12/1/2020 04:43:18 pm

I have a wagon r car model 2009 ..but we'll condition..i am interested your electric kit ...

Reply
Paramjeet Singh
26/1/2020 04:46:21 pm

have a wagon r car model 2009 ..but we'll condition..i am interested your electric kit .
Plz send me detail for kit and changing processure and place(service center)

Reply
Ganesh
27/1/2020 04:25:50 pm

I need to convert my Alto Lxi car in to electric what will be price,and Iam living at chennai. tamilnadu government permitting the retrofitting.I saw ur video u are going to set all metros ur retfitting office.you have any idea of giving FRANCHISE to chennai.pl.reply

Reply
Sandeep Sikri
2/3/2020 04:49:45 pm

Need to fit a electric car kit in my Toyota Camry 2005 kindly help me on that
I am in delhi right now from where can I get my car dene

Reply
Sridharan
14/3/2020 06:22:25 pm

R

Reply
Jaydeep Paul
20/3/2020 03:23:10 pm

I want to convert my Maruti 800 car to electric car...My car is in very good condition

Reply
Rajesh kumar
3/4/2020 08:45:04 pm

Plz give detail of this alto E kit and warranty with maintainence cost

Reply
Tanveer Shaikh
4/7/2020 11:26:55 am

As I am interested in taking Franchise for Mumbai city so please contact me on email

Reply
Pankaj Singh
19/7/2020 10:27:39 pm

We want to change my car in ev please tell the cost of the work

Reply
Jinesh Khatri
28/7/2020 10:11:53 pm

I am interested I have a alto 2005 model I want to convert it in a electric vehicle

Reply
NOOR
12/8/2020 03:37:09 am

I am interested I have a alto 2004 model I want to convert it in a electric vehicle
My mob 7318555593

Reply
ROSHAN LAL
19/8/2020 03:20:41 am

Can I make my Gypsy into a Parallel hybrid plug in vehicle.
If possible how much does this cost

Reply
Amit Kumar
19/8/2020 04:42:19 pm

i want to convert wagon R to electric . My car is in very goood condition how much it cost ?? please reply me mail it back.

Reply
gps kaushik
24/8/2020 10:20:22 am

interested in a franchise at lucknow

Reply
Shashank Yadav
23/9/2020 07:13:46 am

I would like to convert my RITZ ZXI PETROL version to electric
Would it be possible to convert and what all would be the charges to do so
Kindly let me know asap
My contact no.
9717109781

Reply
jes
17/11/2020 10:00:47 pm

i would like to convert my sx4 petrol to electric car. how much will be the approx cost. the car is in pune/mumbai.

Reply
kn srinivasan
8/1/2021 07:32:44 am

i am looking for my eeco to convert ev/solar kindly guide me my id vasankn@gmail.com

Reply
Naveen Kumar link
5/3/2021 05:59:21 pm

I am interested to convert my car into E.v can I Have more details on it
9533454523

Reply
Cheathan N
24/3/2021 02:32:02 pm

I want to know the cost for converting swift vdi to electric car what is the charges and do you have branch in banglore
My name is chethan N
Handy 9686456264

Reply
vinod kumar
11/4/2021 05:41:36 pm

I am looking for to convert my Etios diesel to electric version. let me know the details pls.

Reply
Y SRINIVASA RAO
14/4/2021 09:08:47 am

Convert my Tata nano?

Reply
Nageswara Rao K
24/6/2021 02:08:56 pm

I am interested to my car.send your phone number and addres

Reply
Kaviarasan
5/7/2021 08:48:28 pm

I want convert my car scorpio in to ev. What is the cost of conversation?

Reply
Akshat Jain
15/7/2021 10:24:59 am

i want to convert my ford figo aspire 2018 march model in to ev, with range of approx 400 kms per charge, can u suggest cost and other details, also retrofitting is approved on all india govt basis.

Reply
Ashok Patel
20/7/2021 02:36:17 pm

Where I want to send my new swift lxi petrol car to convert electric car please share address and approx cost

Reply
Ashok Patel
20/7/2021 02:33:33 pm

Can I convert my New Swift lxi petrol Manuel to electric car, and how much approx expences require for that

Reply
Thyagaraju Gandla
21/7/2021 06:48:28 am

I have Maruti Alto 800 LXI 2014 model ,how alter the Electric mode ,cost post details

Reply
YOGENDER SINGH
9/8/2021 10:36:47 am

I have a maruti waggon r2008 well condition
I want to know the final cost of electrc kit and can I run my car after ending it's fitness.The fitness of my car after its electrification extended for what more time or not

Reply
Sushil Kumar
20/8/2021 08:38:45 am

Please advise cost for wagonR Lxi Pro+ 2015 model.

Reply
Arjun Kshirsagar
29/8/2021 05:03:32 pm

I have ritz 2016 model, I require eV kit

Reply
Dr Shankara Rao N Petkar
18/9/2021 05:15:24 pm

ev kit for fiat punto emotion. what is the ev kit price ?

Reply
shailesh Singh
19/9/2021 08:06:53 pm

I have TATA indica V2 2006 model how alter the electric model ,cost post details . My mob /watsapp no-7631858002

Reply
Mr Peter Asquith
13/10/2021 10:08:20 pm

Please make the Wagon r kit available in the UK, we need them here too

Reply
Atul
22/10/2021 06:25:30 pm

I have honda crv want to convert the n ev, how much pay

Reply
MEGHSHYAM DAYARAM GADEKAR link
28/10/2021 10:52:20 pm

I want to convert my Tata indigo ecs ls to electric what will be the amount.My mobile number 9082313965

Reply
Yasar patel
9/11/2021 10:52:32 am

I want to ev convert kit for alto lxi old model..

Reply
Nataraj
25/11/2021 05:02:53 pm

Need to convert my diesel car to EV

Reply
Mahesh
16/1/2022 05:28:42 pm

I have Baleno 2006 model I m intrested to convert my car in EV. is it possible if Yes then how much it cost?

Reply
nikhil sharma link
4/2/2022 12:38:29 am

This is high time to use an electric car. It helps us to keep a safe environment. The simplest way to reduce smoke in cities is to use electric bikes that can be charged at home even now and carry the rider plus about 10 kg load
auto driving is also be a better option but we can't depend totally on auto drive feature so be carefull & think about that

Reply
Binil P link
7/3/2022 02:52:03 am

Are they having any franchise in Kerala? I am looking to convert my WagonR into EV.

Reply
Sharad ashok mendake
20/3/2022 02:10:13 pm

I am having alto800 2013 model want to convert ev please may I know the cost of changing and days required for change

Reply
Dhirendra
2/4/2022 12:04:29 am

I want to ev convert kit for alto lxi old model

Reply
narender
21/4/2022 12:44:24 pm

want to convert ertiga vehicle diesel into electric vehicle

Reply
Ravinder Mohan Sobti
2/5/2022 06:26:05 pm

I want to convert my Scorpio in to EV.
Pls. Revert back with details

Reply
A kashim link
3/5/2022 09:46:01 am

New ev i want

Reply
chilakamarri Ramakumar
21/5/2022 04:03:57 pm

i want to convert my wagon r 2010 model to EV, pl suggest

Reply
anand reddy
13/6/2022 09:31:01 am

i want to convert my grand i10 auto 2016 model to EV, pl suggest

Reply
Gurdev Singh
28/6/2022 04:42:51 pm

I am Gurdev Singh Asia's No 1 ranked sprinter son of Sardarni Man Kaur world record holder in athletics living in Punjabi University Patiala campus. I want to get your franchise for converting old cars into electric. Please let me know the the terms and conditions.

Reply
Raviteja
22/8/2022 11:01:17 am

I am owning 2004 car which is Škoda Octavia.I want to convert it into electrical. Can it is possible ?.if possible send me the details on my email r phone :9491654800

Reply
John Carston link
17/11/2022 06:06:04 pm

It helped when you said that converting cars could help the environment by saving gas. A few nights ago, my brother told me he was hoping to find an electric car conversion kit because they are planning his manual car to electric car project. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option for consultation. I'm thankful for this helpful article, I'll tell him that consulting a well-known electric vehicle kits company can provide information about the process.

Reply
Bighnaraj Panigrahi
3/2/2023 01:51:06 pm

I am interested to convert my alto LX to EV please guide me

Reply

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