Vayve Mobility all set to launch India's first solar powered car 'Eva'

Pune, India (Urban Transport News): Pune-based automaker start-up Vayve Mobility has recently unveiled a prototype of India's first solar-powered electric vehicle 'Eva' at Auto Expo 2023 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The clean vehicle was showcased at a time the Indian government is looking to cut emissions and pollution in major cities.

The car will be able to run up to 250 km on a single charge and is expected to hit the markets in mid-2024. The car can be charged via electricity and solar panels fitted on the roof, making it the first solar-powered electric car in the country. The launch got attention from thousands of people, including industry experts and the common public.

Vayve’s Eva has a place for two adults and a child, a 6-way adjustable seat for the driver, and a panoramic sunroof. It is powered by a 6kW liquid-cooled electric motor and a 14 kWh battery pack. It can be charged up to 80% in just 45 minutes on CCS2 and takes about four hours on a 15A Socket. The makers have also provided driver’s airbags for safety. Other car features include climate control, convenient charging, easy manoeuvring, attractive colour options, and smart connectivity with android auto and Apple car play.

Talking about features of Eva, Nilesh Bajaj, Founder of Vayve Mobility said, “Eva is a two-seater narrow-shaped car designed for urban use. The main application of this car is to travel within the city. Anyone with a car uses it mostly to travel within the city to go to the office, shopping, or drop their kids at school. You travel an average of 20-40kms in a day, and you need something which is comfortable and convenient. People generally buy an electric car as a second option after having a petrol or a diesel car at home.”

"Nobody buys an electric car as a primary option as they feel it is not feasible to use while traveling outside for multiple reasons. So instead of making something bulky, we decided to design something more efficient for the consumers. A two-seater car is much more practical because of the space it takes on the road or parking and the cost of running because it is a lightweight car, and since it is small, you also have the option to power it with solar panels," he added.

Designed for a wide range of consumers and built for the Indian market, the car is compact and well-equipped for driving on city roads. It is also said to be one of the cheapest EVs to be launched in the country and is expected to be priced between Rs 5 to 6 lakhs.