Lovebird: The First EV in India - Unveiling the Historical Journey of India's Electric Revolution

Introduction

In the past few years, the world has seen a huge shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. As countries work to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) has become a chief constituent of this Global trend. India is the largest economy in the world, the car industry is also a large country and the electric revolution is in full swing.

Electric vehicles in India are making great strides. Electric vehicles - from the Nexon EV to the Hyundai Kona Electric - are the new trend. However, there were only a few EVs that started the Indian EV scene before India jumped on the EV trend. Lovebirds is one of them, at the forefront of this revolution it is India's first electric vehicle, and leading the country to a cleaner, greener future. Lovebird is manufactured by Eddy Current Controls Ltd, founded by Jose MD, and established in 1993 at Chalakudi, Kerala.

First EV of India: Lovebird

A revolutionary electric vehicle known as the "Lovebird" first appeared on the market in 1993, marking a significant turning point in India's automotive history. This car, created by Eddy Electric Series, made its premiere at the New Delhi Auto Expo and received a lot of praise. The Lovebird won several honors after its inception, establishing its status as a ground-breaking innovation in the nation, and the plaudits kept coming.

The Indian government enthusiastically approved full-scale manufacturing after quickly embracing the idea. This initiative was led by the creative Indian business Eddy Current Controls, which created the Lovebird, in conjunction with the Tokyo-based Yaskawa Electric Mfg. Co., displaying a worldwide alliance for cutting-edge electric mobility.

Specifications of the first EV of India

The Lovebird was built as a small two-seater at facilities in Chalakudy, Kerala, and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Direct current (DC) electric motor powered by a transportable and rechargeable battery system served as the vehicle's means of propulsion. It should be noted that the era's battery technology was less developed, and the car was powered by a lead-acid pack. The Lovebird used cutting-edge electronic chopper technology to optimize speed control, albeit precise information on cell count and power metrics is still rather difficult.

The Lovebird had a four-speed transmission that was complemented by a reverse gear to increase its economy. Performance and economy were enhanced because of this tactical arrangement. With an impressive range of up to 60 km on a single full charge, the car is an efficient option for quick commutes and city transportation.

Why Lovebird was discontinued?

Despite strong government support and a promising start, the Lovebird ran into a problem that finally forced its discontinuation: unusually poor sales. Nevertheless, despite their best efforts, they were only able to sell 25 automobiles to institutional and individual buyers. The government's decision to stop providing the Rs 80,000 subsidy was the last straw, dealing the manufacturing of Lovebird the fatal blow, compounding the difficulties.

In addition, difficulties brought on by poor power infrastructure and sporadic supplies may have contributed to the weak sales results. Notably, the price of the Lovebird became unaffordable due to a change in government policy, which included the removal of incentives for electric vehicles. This setback in the Lovebird's otherwise ground-breaking voyage underlined the early stages of the adoption of electric vehicles at the time.

But the Lovebird continues to be remembered as an example of India's pioneering work in the field of electric transportation. Its creative design and pioneering attitude helped build the foundations for the nation's development of electric vehicles, paving the way for upcoming improvements and changes in the automotive sector.