Mumbai-based EV startup eBikeGo, which is in the business of providing sustainable traveling, has partnered SKS CleanTech, a solar energy solution start-up to convert its (eBikeGo) complete fleet with solar-energy charged batteries. 

eBikeGo says amid a rush by some countries to field electric cars and get fossil-fuled cars off the road, not enough consideration is given to only how environmentally costly it will be to supply EV batteries for an all-electric future. Batteries of EVs which are charged by electricity continue to have some carbon footprint. It is estimated that battery production for EVs ultimately produces more carbon dioxide up to 74 percent more than an efficient conventional car if those batteries are produced in a factory powered by fossil fuels.

A normal vehicle emits 1kg of carbon with every unit, eBikeGo says as part of its mission to have a sustainable solution, it has installed solar panels where batteries will be charged with solar energy and vehicles will come and swap the batteries. These solar panels will be installed in buildings and the batteries which will be used in their EV will be 100% solar powered.

Dr. Irfan Khan, founder and CEO, eBikeGo said: "We at eBikeGo are very happy and delighted to work out something which is environmentally friendly and to convert our fleet with zero carbon emission. While dealing with this unprecedented pandemic, we learned that the more we become eco-friendly by planting trees around us and get more conscious towards the environment to become carbon negative,. We aim to work towards green and clean air this year and that's why plan to install this facility in January 2021."

The energy generated through the solar panels installed in factories which uses DC, eBikeGo will regulate the voltage-current to divert and charge the batteries. The installation of solar panels has already started at the company’s Mumbai facility on a pilot basis, which will be later expanded to its Tier 1 and tier 2 cities facilities in the coming months.

According to eBikeGo from start to end, all high-speed vehicles use 2Kw batteries and every battery requires 2 units of power to charge that emits approximately 2kg per battery per day. By using solar energy to charge their batteries, the start-up has become the first company with zero or pure carbon emissions. The company claims solar power will charge the batteries 30 percent faster than regular electricity due to using direct current. Since it requires a 100 square foot area for installation of 1kw solar panel means it is easily accessible.

Sunder Iyer, founder and CEO, SKS CleanTech said: “We are glad to join forces with eBikeGo to give versatile arrangements without hurting the climate. Our slogan is industry nature for a greener future, on the off chance that we need that our group of people yet to come will take in clean air, at that point we as a whole need to run after this from today. Our thought process is to lessen the outflow of carbon impression in the climate regardless of what the business is.”

Also read: Mumbai-based EV start-up eBikeGo to launch EV service training program