We’ve heard stories of people converting conventional petrol or diesel cars into electric vehicles, But in Odisha, a normal commoner has accomplished something remarkable. Shrikant Patra, an auto driver from Nayagarh district in Odisha, has accomplished a groundbreaking feat by converting his electric three-wheeler into a solar-powered vehicle.
This marks the first instance of an electric vehicle being converted into a solar-powered unit. The 35-year-old was facing problems with low battery, and the frequent charging compelled him to take this unique step.
The invention done by Shrikant Patra might come as a surprise and raise a hundred questions for those who support electric vehicles. Patra took guidance from YouTube videos to learn about converting an electric vehicle into a solar-powered one.
“I have been driving an auto rickshaw for the last 15 years. Earlier, I used to pay huge expenses and merely earn ₹300-400 after fuel a day with the diesel engine.” – Shrikant Patra told ANI news agency.
Initially, Patra owned a diesel auto-rickshaw, but he had to sell it because of the high fuel costs. To save money, he decided to buy an electric three-wheeler. Unfortunately, his experience with the electric vehicle was not as smooth as expected, and he faced various challenges.
“Around one and half years back, I purchased an electric auto rickshaw and drove in the city, but the low battery and charging issue became a bigger concern every day, which hit my services badly, and I couldn’t drive an auto on the road properly during the day hours.” – He added.
Shrikant Patra’s daughter, who is in the sixth grade, came up with the idea of converting their electric auto-rickshaw into a solar-powered vehicle. She suggested using YouTube videos as a reference to achieve this transformation.
He claims his solar-powered auto rickshaw can travel up to 140km on a single charge. With the invention, it is said that his income has increased from Rs 1300 to Rs 1500 per day, which helps him support his family.
This story of converting an electric auto-rickshaw into a solar-powered vehicle is truly inspiring and depicts the power of the human mind. Even though e-autos are a lifesaver, it is still difficult for people, especially in rural areas, to comprehend and utilize them.
His invention is a true inspiration and can be adopted to help thousands of e-auto drivers nationwide. The durability of this invention needs to be tested in the long run, and if successful, this technology can be used to convert existing e-autos.
