Electric Cars, Scooters in India, and other 'green' updates

I'll use this blog to store details of Electric cars and scooters in India as I learn about them.

Electric Cars & Scooters -
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/autoindia/electric-cars-in-india-current-evs-and-future-launches/
http://www.evfuture.com/
http://www.electricbikee.com/
http://www.electricbikee.com/electric-scooters-india/ - some figures here
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/autoindia/electric-scooters-in-india-upcoming-launches-and-existing-scooters/

Electric cars and scooters have 2 'problems' - less powerful and low range i.e. distance that can be travelled on a single charge.

E.g. The Reva cars are not yet in a position to compete with normal cars in India. This is because the weight that the Reva car can pull, is listed as 228kg, which is roughly the weight of 3 people. And we all know 4 is the magic number.

Among scooters, TVS Scooty Electric is a scooter from a reputed company. Its range is 40km for a 9hr charge. Ultramotors Velociti has a range of 100km but a max speed of 25kmph (which to me sounds too less). Yo Speed has a max speed of 45kmph and a range of 70km. Yo Speed's review are here - http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Yo_Speed-925076143.html

Economics - 1km will cost 10p on UltraMotors Velociti it seems. Compare this with Honda Activa which gives 1km for Rs. 1 (Its mileage is around 50km/litre; 1 litre currently costs Rs 50). Electric scooter's mileage will be 1/10 of the current cost, a 900% reduction in cost.

Update on Sep 18 2009 - Reva's upcoming cars - http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/18/slide-show-1-auto-the-new-reva-electric-car.htm
Update on Oct 28 2009 - GM and Reva partnering to bring electric version of Spark in 2010 - http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_gm-reva-electric-car-in-next-12-months_1292820

Plastic -> Fuel converter - Envion Oil Generator Turns Plastic Into Fuel

Edit - Jan 6 2010 - BMW C1-E electric scooter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytdw_qMBVb8

http://comfort-bike.blogspot.com/ - good site to follow news about bikes

Honda Activa with large windscreen - http://www.otosever.com.tr/resim_goster.asp?img=http://www.otosever.com.tr/images/products/00/01/35/135_buyuk_1.jpg