Having developed 16 electric vehicles on its own in the last about one-and-a-half years ago, the National Institute of Technology – Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, is set to launch a dirt e-bike for use during disaster management operations or for any rescue mission.
The dirt e-bike is being developed in co-ordination with the 1979 alumni batch and an automobile company. It will be released this month, Pruthviraj U., Head, E-Mobility Projects at the Centre for System Design (CSD) at the institute, told The Hindu.
Speaking on the sidelines of the institute launching two more e-cycles, which are unisex variant, for campus use last week taking the total number of e-cycles to nine, Mr. Pruthviraj said that the dirt e-bike can be used by disaster management forces such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). “The launch of dirt e-bike is not for fun. But for rescue operations or for any other need during natural calamities,” Mr. Pruthviraj said, adding that it can be used for risk reduction during rescue operations.
The NIT-K launched an e-bike for forest surveillance in Kudremukh National Park area in November, 2021.
Of the 16 e-vehicles, all geo-fenced, developed so far with the major financial support by its alumni and donors included nine e-cycles, three scooters, two motor bikes, an automatic e-trolley and an e-three wheeler. All those vehicles, except the one handed over to the forest department which is also in use, are in use in the campus by staff and students. The alumni of 1970, 1972 and 1981 have contributed major share for the projects.
He said that an e-cycle, which is pedal assisted, once charged gives up to 40 k.m. mileage. The motor may be stopped by gripping the brake and wireless charging is also a feature of the unisex variant launched last week.
The e-three wheeler, launched for Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav in this August, is used for biowaste/organic-waste collection from the campus, including from hostels and staff quarters, to its bio-waste recyling plant. It gives a good mileage of 60 k.m. per charge with a charging time of three hours.
The solar powered e-charging station built at the campus has provision to charge six cycles, two bikes and any other e-vehicle, including a car, at a time. The any other e-vehicle which can be charged is a pay and use facility.
The alumni from the 1972 batch contributed Rs. 15 lakhs for e-mobility with the main donor being P. M. Pai who donated Rs. 10 lakh.
The CSD is headed by K.V. Gangadharan, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
