ELECTRIC CYCLE A SUSTAINABLE INDIVIDUALTRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR AUROVILLE

Chandresh Patel, Project Holder
QT (Quiet Transport), A Project of ACT (AurovilleCommunityTransport
SARACONBuilding, Near Ganesh Bakery, Kottakarai,Auroville, INDIA
e-mail:

ABSTRACT

Most of the cities are highly polluted. The main reasons being air and noise pollution caused by conventional transport vehicles. Therefore we in Auroville thought that Electric Cycles could provide a non-polluting and a very silent transport solution for us. Hence we thought to develop the QTs (ElectricCycles Project). The details of these cycles are presented as under. We believe that these cycles can provide a very environmentally friendly and energy efficient individual transport system.

CONCLUSION

We have therefore designed and developed two types of Cycles specifically keeping in mind the Auroville road conditions:

1) Motor assisted pedal cycles.

2) Completely battery driven cycles.

Below are given the details of the work done:

  • Motor assisted pedal cycles:

Our data (from discussions with Aurovillians and Auroville Guests) revealed that with a small battery driven motor [permanent magnet D.C. (PMDC) type] with 36 V 13 A-hr lead acid battery attached to the existing cycles would make possible for the cyclists to go uphill with ease and go at 15-20 km/hr speed. It will also navigate well over soft, wet roads during monsoon and over sandy segments on other periods in Auroville.

A simple strategy has been employed in this cycle. A manual electronic contact switch allows the rider to switch the motor on or off depending upon his convenience and uphill slope. Thus the gearing is arranged such that pedal and motor work in tandem to ease the rider. Most guests coming to Auroville initially rent regular bicycles and within a few days get tired from the heat and dust and sweat, so end up resorting to the petrol based vehicles such as mopeds or motorcycles. The electric cycles will cater well to the big guest season population who mostly stay within the community of Auroville. We intend to prepare a pool of thirty (30) electric bicycles in the near future with support from Friends of Auroville and foundations.

The cost of this cycle is envisaged to be Rs. 21,000/- in mass production. The price includes cycle, PMDC motor, battery and battery charger.

  • Completely battery driven cycles:

We have designed and invested on 9 Nos. of these non-pedaling type E-cycles, running on Auroville roads since March-2007, exclusively designed for Auroville roads, and is under constant development according to the feedbacks we receive from the users since its introduction. More than a couple of dozens of Aurovillians and Guests have ridden these QT-cycles since the last 5 months, and we have an overwhelming response and a huge waiting list of people ready to use and take the E-Cycles on trial basis before they can own one for themselves.

These QT-E-Cycles are manufactured/assembles in Pondicherry, fitted with 450 Watt brushless hub motor, with 36 V 13 A-hr lead acid battery which would make possible for the cyclists to go uphill with ease and go at 15-20 km/hr speed.

The QT Cycles are fitted with a front lamp, a horn, a bell, a basket and a cable lock for security purposes.

The cost of this cycle is Rs. 18,500/- in mass production. The price includes cycle, PMDC motor, battery and battery charger.

OTHER ISSUES

  1. Battery and its charging: One of the major issues facing large scale electric vehicles introduction is the issue of batteries. With the present level of technology development most of the batteries used are lead acid batteries. Deep discharge lead acid batteries are presently imported in India and are very heavy. The issue of battery charging can be tackled in the following ways :
  1. Having an external36 V charger and plugging it in any electrical outlet: This concept has been used in the electric cycles.
  2. The electricity to power these batteries can come from theregular 240 V 5 Amps domestic outlet or any renewable power plants like biomass, solar, wind etc.
  3. With one charge which takes 6 to 8 Hrs the QT-cycles cover 25 to 30 Kms.
  4. The power consumption for one full recharge is between 0.5 to 1 Unit.

We also later intend to provide battery charging stations at a few locations around Auroville where the rider can charge the bicycle batteries. We are also exploring the option to have removable battery packs that can be swapped with charged ones at various locations around Auroville.