Gurugram student builds solar-assisted three-wheeler for Rs 1 lakh
The 17-year-old designed the vehicle to provide affordable transport for families with an estimated running cost of 13 paise per km.
Akshit Khera, a 17-year-old Class 12 student from Gurugram, has developed a solar-assisted three-wheeler prototype designed to lower transport costs for families. As reported by the Times of India, the vehicle cost Rs 1,02,536 to build and has an estimated running expense of 13 paise per kilometre.
The student from Heritage International Experiential School created the multi-purpose vehicle featuring a two-seat cabin, a cargo box, and a 400W solar panel that functions as a roof. Khera noted that he developed the project using school physics and mathematics without a professional workshop or engineering team.
The idea originated after Khera spoke with his housemaid's family regarding the high costs of local transport and vehicle ownership. After consulting approximately 20 other families, he identified a need for an affordable vehicle that could carry both passengers and up to 300 kg of cargo.
The solar-assisted design can travel at least 50 km on one charge. Khera's calculations suggest that solar energy can provide about 63 per cent of the electricity required for a 50 km daily trip, though this figure fluctuates between 41 per cent during monsoon and 87 per cent in summer.
To manage costs, Khera reduced the battery size from 5.38 kWh to 3.072 kWh and used steel tubes only at load-bearing points. He also visited the Mayapuri automobile market to negotiate component prices, saving more than Rs 17,000.
Khera stated that the vehicle has only undergone initial testing and he intends to evaluate its performance in various weather conditions. He believes large-scale manufacturing could eventually lower costs by 10 to 20 per cent.