Bharat Mobility Expo: Vayve Mobility To Flaunt India’s First Solar Car

Bharat Mobility Expo: Vayve Mobility To Flaunt India's First Solar Car

Vayve Mobility, a new-age OEM (original equipment manufacturer) that has pioneered the concept of solar electric cars will showcase the much-awaited Eva, a compact electric car that will revolutionize the way India drives. The exclusive preview will happen at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi between January 17 and 22.

“Building on its successful debut at Auto Expo 2023, where Eva garnered admiration from thousands of visitors, the new iteration of Eva promises to set a benchmark in compact, efficient and eco-friendly commuting. Designed to tackle the challenges of urban life—like traffic congestion, limited parking spaces and rising fuel costs—Eva is designed to redefine the urban commute experience,” Vayve Mobility said in a statement.

The firm said that with a total range of 250 km per charge and 3000 km free on solar annually, Eva combines innovation and practicality. “It’s High Voltage powertrain technology enables super-fast charging, providing an additional 50 km of range in just 5 minutes. Wide driver visibility, quick acceleration of 0 to 40 kmph in just 5 seconds and Top Speed of 70 kmph offers a dynamic driving experience, perfect for daily city commutes. Eva comes equipped with smart connectivity features, including seamless smartphone integration, vehicle diagnostics, remote monitoring and over-the-air (OTA) updates,” it said.

Eva’s operational cost 

Eva’s operational cost sounds interesting. Compared to the average petrol car’s fuel cost of ₹5 per kilometre, Eva’s cost stands at just ₹0.5 per kilometre, thanks to its lightweight and high-efficiency engineering. This makes Eva not only environmentally sustainable but also a high-value-for-money choice for urban families.

“Eva aims to establish a new category of city cars. After the overwhelming response at Auto Expo 2023, we’ve incorporated customer feedback and further innovation to deliver a car that combines sustainability, style and practicality,” said Nilesh Bajaj, Co-founder and CEO of Vayve Mobility.

He added, “Eva meets the needs of evolving modern consumers. With the inclusion of solar power and smart connectivity, Eva provides a futuristic yet accessible solution for urban mobility, making it an ideal second car for families.”

“India’s urban mobility patterns underscore the relevance of Eva. With an average daily commute of less than 35 km and car occupancy below 1.5 passengers, Eva’s design is tailored to meet these needs. Unlike traditional automakers, Vayve Mobility has focused on bridging the innovation gaps in the small car segment, offering a product that is both aspirational and efficient,” it said. Vayve Mobility is led by a seasoned founding team, including Nilesh Bajaj (CEO), Vilas Deshpande (COO), Saurabh Mehta (CTO), and Ankit Jain (CoS).

Global stories of solar cars 

Earlier, several companies globally have tried experimenting of integrating solar with electric vehicles or other vehicles. For example-Hyundai earlier had launched Sonata Hybrid with a rooftop solar system in 2019. The car’s solar panels were designed to charge the batteries of the vehicle to elongate its range. It had claimed that its solar roof with 6 hours of charging can increase travel distance by an extra 1300 kms annually.

In the same year Hanergy Glory Solar Technology, was an electric vehicle (EV) startup focused on integrating thin-film solar technology into vehicles to reduce reliance on traditional charging methods. In 2019, the company conducted a successful 30-day test drive of a solar-powered vehicle based on the Japanese K-Car model.