Typical e-bike has woefully low top speed (of 25 kmph) and range (of 30-50 km per charge). ISRO has demonstrated battery technology that will radically change the scene for electric bikes. Manufacturers put in a small battery (up to 1kWh) and restrict maximum speed in order to extend effective range. The speed is not sufficient to keep pace with other traffic. The engine that does 50-60kmph for one hour, would use around 2.5kW, so a 1kW battery can only run for 24 minutes or less. The weight of lead-acid batteries, used in bikes, limits battery capacity. A 2.5kW would weigh 50kg!! Not only would it create severe engineering and design issues, but the scooter would not provide benefits of speed, range and handling.
ISRO has considerable experience of lightweight Li-ion batteries. 2.5kW Li battery weighs only 12 kg or a quarter of the lead unit. A bike fitted with 1.5kW Li-ion battery did 98 km at 50 kmph under test conditions. Li-ion bike burns less power per distance covered because it is lighter. Compared to Hero photon, it scores on top speed, range and fuel efficiency. ISRO is willing to licence its Li-ion battery technology but the complicating factor is the cost of lithium. The present cost of a lithium battery starts from Rs 11k per 1000 Wh. Cost of comparable Li battery shoots up to Rs 26k, adding 25% more to the cost of the bike. Hidden benefit of Li-ion is it last 5-15 x longer. Li-ion bike would not need a battery replacement whilst a typical lead-acid bike will need 5 to 10 changes. Ownership cost of lead bike would be 2-3x the initial cost of a lithium-ion bike. India or ISRO is however nowhere in the scene. Foreign manufacturers (like Tesla of US & China) are set to dominate lithium battery production as they upscale production with a view to cutting the present price by 40%.
ISRO Offers Space Tech To Electric Vehicle Makers In India
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