The Nepali Army has started to convert old vehicles running electric vehicles.The Nepali Army has begun to convert aging engine vehicles that rely on fossil fuel to electric vehicles. According to Rathi Gajendranath, technical assistant of the ‘Electronics and Mechanical Engineering’ (EME) section, the Nepali Army has begun this endeavor to give substance to the Nepal government’s aim to reduce air pollution.
So far, the army has converted three aging vehicles into electric vehicles. According to Khum Bahadur Kunwar, an EME branch technical officer, the engines, gear boxes, and radiators of all those cars were removed, and batteries, battery chargers, controllers, and meters were installed and turned into electric vehicles.
First and foremost, the Army transformed a Maruti Gypsy King 413 model vehicle into an electric vehicle. It will require a total investment of 350,000 rupees, including army internal resources. Lithium-ion batteries imported from China are installed in this vehicle, which runs 50 to 60 kilometers on a single full charge. Lithium-ion batteries imported from China are installed in this vehicle, which runs 50 to 60 kilometers on a single full charge.
This car will be used as a’staff vehicle.’Engineer General Kunwar reported that a solar panel had been placed so that the battery could be charged even while the vehicle was running and parked. The Land Rover Jeep is another vehicle that has been transformed from an engine vehicle to an electric vehicle.The army plans to use it as a “parade review vehicle” (a vehicle used during military parades).
Karmacharya stated that this car cost 1.3 lakh rupees to manufacture and can travel up to 120 kilometers on a single full charge.
According to Mahasenani Kunwar, while everything is the same, there is a difference in ‘method’ between Gypsy and Land Rover.
He further stated that the Gypsy car’s meter and axle are mounted on the rear wheel, but the Land Rover vehicle is operated from the front.
Similarly, the army has converted a Nissan civilian bus with 26 seats into an electric vehicle. According to the Nepalese Army, this bus can go 40 kilometers on a single full charge. It is stated that it cost 3 lakh 75 thousand rupees to transform it into an electric vehicle. Rathi Karmacharya, technical assistant, said that the project was successful when all these vehicles were subjected to a ‘road running test’. However, these vehicles are yet to be certified for off-road use.
Cars that have been converted from traditional engine vehicles to electric vehicles in this manner must be certified by Transport Management Department trained engineers and technicians. According to Karmacharya, more work can be done if the government establishes a clear policy on the subject.
According to assistant Rathi Karmacharya, the army is now importing meters, controllers, oscillator pedals (conversion kit in general), and lithium-ion batteries from China. He also stated that the costs are substantial and that the process is taking longer than two months.
He further stated that these army-made cars are perfectly safe for road use and will help minimize environmental pollution. However, he also informed that as a result of battery disposal, there may be problems in the environment, so the study is in progress.
