Electro Mobile to produce solar car

Anuradha Kodagoda

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Electro Mobile (Pvt) Ltd, is hoping to produce a solar charging electric car which can travel 275 Kms in one charge.

The estimated cost of this solar charging electric full option car would be around Rs. 1.7 million and this model would be similar to the popular Suzuki Shift car. It is estimated that the cost of one charge would be less than Rs. 100, which makes a kilometre less than 36 cents.

Electro Mobile (Pvt.) Ltd, the largest electric automobile manufacturer in Sri Lanka has also taken the initiative for the first time to introduce a solar charging electric motor-cycle.

"This would be introduced next month and the new product is already being showcased at the Deyata Kirula exhibition, which concludes on Sunday at the BMICH," Sales Manager, Electro Mobile (Pvt) Ltd Vishwa Waidyasekara said.

India is also manufacturing a solar-powered car. However, this is a two-door model that limits the capacity. In addition the car has to be charged every 100 -kilometres, which also limits its distance. Upali Wijewardene assembled Upali Fiat cars in Sri Lanka in the early 1980's. At present Dr. Lawrence Perera manufactures cars under the Micro brand. He also assembles Sanyong vehicles manufactured in Korea for the local market.

"Currently we are producing six models of motor-cycles such as CL 350, SW 500, CMB 500 and CE 90 which are now available islandwide,"

"We are manufacturing 60 per cent of the products in our factory and 40 per cent of the products are assembled with spare parts imported from China."

"Our main target is to provide motor-cycles at a low price and with the introduction of the solar cycles people would not have any operation costs as well," he said. "At present Electro Mobile (Pvt) Ltd., are exporting products to Germany and we are hoping to expand our business to the Italian motor market as well in the near future", he said.

Electro Mobile (Pvt) Ltd is one of the leaders in the automobile industry in Sri Lanka.

The factory was set up in 2003. "We also maintain after sales service as well as a 24-hour customer care call service not only for our own customers but also for any person who use motor-cycle," he said.
