Real Life EV Story
Syed Mubasheer
Owner - Reva
City - Chennai
Owner - Reva
City - Chennai
REVA – Lithium Polymer Battery Retrofittment Story
Hello I'am Syed Mubasheer. I live in the city of Chennai, India. I'am the founder of 'D-ESPAT Pvt Ltd' - www.despat.com
D-ESPAT, established in February 2003, focusses on
I purchased the Reva electric car in July 2012 for RnD purposes.
Our main goal was to build a proof of concept for an EVPT (Electric Vehicle for Public Transport®™ for 8 – 10 seater capacity for Intra-city mobility)
Here are a list of objectives
D-ESPAT, established in February 2003, focusses on
- Engineering Software Consulting on Product Design “Costing Solutions” through DFMA® (Design For Manufacture & Assembly) through workshops and consultancy services to MNC, OEM,ODM’s on Design Review and analyze vendor/In house Component and sub-assembly cost
- D-ESPAT specializes in Custom Development of Lithium ion Batteries for Niche Industrial , Defense and Renewable Energy Storage in India.
Recognized by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) for their IN HOUSE R&D Unit , Registered Vendor to Defense labs in India.
I purchased the Reva electric car in July 2012 for RnD purposes.
Our main goal was to build a proof of concept for an EVPT (Electric Vehicle for Public Transport®™ for 8 – 10 seater capacity for Intra-city mobility)
Here are a list of objectives
- Reduce weight of the car
- Replace Lead Acid battery to Li-Polymer
- Electric Vehicle for Public Transport (8-10 seater)
- Increase load carrying capacity (upto 10 people from 3)
- Quick-charge 80% capacity in 20 mins
- Full charge at 2C rate within 30 mins
- Increase range from 65 km to 100 km per charge
Video
The Process
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We purchased a Reva car in the month of July 2012 for R&D.
We studied the Lead Acid battery vehicle for over 5-6 months. This was the Lead acid battery which was present in Reva car. Description: 48V/ 200Ah Weight : 280 kg This is a frame which holds the battery. Which was affected by the leakage of lead acid water. We had to chemically treat , rework the sheet metal damages due to corrosion and repaint the frame. |
The next step was a minor face lift job.
We wanted a small differentiator ,so a FRP front was modeled over the existing bumper.
This and other electrical and mechanical features were fine tuned. Eg : the Shock absorbers were reduced in stiffness and damping fluid viscosity to make up for the reduced weight rebounce and comfort of driving….this was a couple of trial and arrive effort
She was then brought for retrofitting.
We wanted a small differentiator ,so a FRP front was modeled over the existing bumper.
This and other electrical and mechanical features were fine tuned. Eg : the Shock absorbers were reduced in stiffness and damping fluid viscosity to make up for the reduced weight rebounce and comfort of driving….this was a couple of trial and arrive effort
She was then brought for retrofitting.
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This new Lithium Battery pack getting connected with motor controller. New settings and refinements were needed over several trials.
Few existing components are obsolete..like the lead acid charger, Lead battery sensors, we disengaged the battery ‘fuel Gauge'from the dashboard.
We have our own Voltage indicator and current sensor…a simple design to quick review “on the ride” for us battery engineers.
Few existing components are obsolete..like the lead acid charger, Lead battery sensors, we disengaged the battery ‘fuel Gauge'from the dashboard.
We have our own Voltage indicator and current sensor…a simple design to quick review “on the ride” for us battery engineers.
The finished product
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This is our Reva installed with new Lithium Polymer battery. There are no changes to the existing battery cover
New Battery Description: 48V/ 150Ah (25% Lesser capacity than original Lead Acid
New Battery Weight : 70 Kg (75% lesser weight )
Updated Range : 100 km (Upgraded from 60 km)
This is reduced by weight of 210 Kgs.
Designed for more play time!!
New Battery Description: 48V/ 150Ah (25% Lesser capacity than original Lead Acid
New Battery Weight : 70 Kg (75% lesser weight )
Updated Range : 100 km (Upgraded from 60 km)
This is reduced by weight of 210 Kgs.
Designed for more play time!!
Project Statistics
Philosophy behind the project
The social impact of the project is the main objective of EVPT - Electric Vehicle for Public Transport.
An observation of SHARE AUTO’s in metro’s led me to believe that small time business that move people and goods on short distances (upto 100kms) per day, would find this very useful. Whether it is a service engineer, a street grocery shop owner who get his market purchases atop a share auto , a middle class person , student or the strata of our society who depend on such mobility.
If you notice the last mile connectivity is more expensive because the share auto would charge say a Rs 10 to Rs 20, What if this can become say Rs 2 and Rs 5, with still profits for vehicle owners, clean energy generation, government support to own and use such vehicles.
We can start a rEVolution !
It is no longer a dream. Small sized countries are doing this. Example - Bhutan - the poster country of green mobility.
The social impact of the project is the main objective of EVPT - Electric Vehicle for Public Transport.
An observation of SHARE AUTO’s in metro’s led me to believe that small time business that move people and goods on short distances (upto 100kms) per day, would find this very useful. Whether it is a service engineer, a street grocery shop owner who get his market purchases atop a share auto , a middle class person , student or the strata of our society who depend on such mobility.
If you notice the last mile connectivity is more expensive because the share auto would charge say a Rs 10 to Rs 20, What if this can become say Rs 2 and Rs 5, with still profits for vehicle owners, clean energy generation, government support to own and use such vehicles.
We can start a rEVolution !
It is no longer a dream. Small sized countries are doing this. Example - Bhutan - the poster country of green mobility.
Project news in The Indian Express
Gallery
Reva in Kovalam beach, Chennai
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A selfie!
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Contact Information
D-ESPAT Pvt Ltd
#2/1, Veerapandi Nagar 1st Street,
Choolaimedu, Chennai - 600094
Ph: +91-44-2363 0797
Ph/Fax: +91-44-2363 0163
www.despat.com
D-ESPAT Pvt Ltd
#2/1, Veerapandi Nagar 1st Street,
Choolaimedu, Chennai - 600094
Ph: +91-44-2363 0797
Ph/Fax: +91-44-2363 0163
www.despat.com
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