Odisha Farmer Builds His Own Electric Bicycle From Scratch Without Any Formal Training

Electric vehicles are increasingly becoming a part of last mile mobility in India, thanks to the rising number of electric two-wheelers being launched in the market. The problem with these, however, is their high prices for the buyers because of their costly batteries. One farmer from Odisha has now come up with a solution, i.e. if you can¡¯t buy an electric two-wheeler, you make one!

Dilip Mohapatra has recently converted his own bicycle into an electric one at a fraction of the cost of a brand new electric bicycle. While the starting range for most electric bicycles is over Rs 20,000, Mohapatra has been able to electrify his own bicycle for not more than Rs 15,000.

The commendable part in the whole effort is the fact that Mohapatra does not have any background in automobile or electrical engineering or even has the technical know-how of electric vehicles. Yet the farmer from village of Bamanda in Boudh, Odisha was able to successfully come up with his own electric two-wheeler.

Being electric, the bicycle obviously does not have any carbon footprint and is as clean for the environment as a bicycle. As per Mohapatra, the bike can run at a speed of up to 30 kmph and can cover around 80 km on a single charge. That is the range offered by some of the top electric two-wheelers retailing in the country! You can have a look at the top electric scooters in India here.

The made-at-home electric bicycle

Mohapatra retrofitted his bicycle with two 12 volt batteries and a 35 watt electric motor to make it electric. He claims that the battery charges to its full capacity in 4 to 5 hours. Associated parts like an accelerator, LED headlamp and a bat light were also attached to the bicycle.

Since the top speed of the electric bicycle is well within the mentioned limit for such vehicles, Mohapatra does not require a driving license or a helmet to ride his two-wheeler.

Mohapatra sees the self-built electric bicycle as not only helpful for himself, considering his old age, but as a general mobility solution for the farmers in rural areas of the country. The two-wheeler remains environmental-friendly, it is robust for the unconditioned roads and eliminates the physical need of pedalling it to the rider¡¯s destination. He seeks to make more of these in the future, as cited in a report by Ommcom News.

Mohapatra is not the only one fascinated by such DIY electric vehicles. Recently, 60-year old Vishnu Patel gained the headlines for his self-made electric two and three wheelers. The Gujarat resident has so far built seven such battery-operated two and three wheelers, which he likes to call 'e-bikes'. His creations come with a purpose too - to help the specially-abled.