Kerala is one of the leading states of India showing interest in switching to eco-friendly vehicles, including BEVs and FCEVs. The state’s public sector company Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL) introduced new electric rickshaw called Kerala Neem G earlier this year. Now, it plans to launch an electric scooter and another electric rickshaw.
A new report from thehindu.com says that KAL plans to launch an e-scooter and an e-goods auto in two months. A. Shajahan, Managing Director, KAL, has told the website that there will be two variants of the KAL electric scooter by March 2021. The launch will happen in a single variant this year and the new variant will be introduced early next year.
The KAL electric scooter will be a high-speed model like the TVS iQube and the Bajaj Chetak. Shajahan suggested that this model will offer performance similar to a 100 cc petrol scooter and won’t have the issue of low speed that is typical of Chinese e-scooters India is flooded with.
The KAL electric scooter could have batteries assembled with German technology and fully chargeable in 3 hours and 55 minutes. Charging will be convenient, possible using a three-pin plug-in at single-phase connections. The KAL electric scooter will cost less than INR 75,000 in both the variants.
As for the new KAL e-goods autorickshaw, it will be designed for last mile delivery and carry loads of up to 600 kg. It will have a range of 80-90 km and be chargeable using a three-pin plug at single-phase connections. The e-goods auto rickshaw will cost under INR 3 lakh.
