Indian company lets drivers opt-in for electric battery

A new business in India is giving consumers a way to add battery-driven engines to traditional vehicles for Rs. 65,000 ($1,331).

West Bengal Green Energy Development is working with automaker Tara International to propose the batteries as alternatives to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is used as an auto fuel because it burns more cleanly than traditional fuels. LPG hasn't gained wide acceptance because of its low energy density and potential side effects to engines.

The venture said the switch to the battery-driven engine is cheaper than LPG, as well as more environmentally friendly.

Already, the partnership has sold more than 10,000 two-wheeled vehicles using the technology and is now pushing the product for automobiles.

The total cost of the system for vehicles—Rs. 1.25 lakh—is reduced by subsidies to the Rs. 65,000 cost, according to the Times of India. That works out to about Rs. 200 a day to recharge the batteries, which can run the vehicle for 80 kilometers at a speed of up to 60 km per hour.

India's consumers have demanded high-mileage and electric cars, and manufacturers are responding.

While the efforts of Mumbai-based Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM) to develop the high-mileage Nano car have struggled thanks to protests over factory locations, the automaker is proceeding with plans for an electric vehicle (see India's Tata Motors reveals electric car prototype and Tata Motors moves Indian Nano plant).

Also in India, Reliance Digital announced plans this week to sell the REVA brand of electric cars through its outlets across the country (see Reva-ing it up in Delhi!).

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