The multi-fuel, environment-friendly concept vehicle, if commercially developed, could prove useful for people in rural areas as it is uncomplicated, rugged and can cope with fuel shortage with its versatile compatibility with any of the three fuels.
The hybrid vehicle can cope with the rugged terrain in rural areas and can be used as a hauler for agricultural produce with a trailer attached.
Its simple design and easy manoeuverability also makes it an ideal vehicle for persons with physical disabilities.
The vehicle has been developed by four eighth semester mechanical engineering students, Libu George Babu, Ajay Vardhaman, Venkatesh and G Sunitha, under the guidance of Prof H G Shenoy.
The 100 cc vehicle has solar panels, an electrical storage battery and a petrol tank. Prof Shenoy says that the Visvesvaraya Technical University, Belgaum had certified the vehicle as the first of its kind in the country in terms of the multiciplicity of fuels that it can use.
The vehicle mileage is 40 km per litre of petrol, 45-60 km by battery charged for an hour. The top speed of the vehicle is 55 kmph. The gear-less vehicle is operable by hand with the accelerator and brakes engaged by hand, facilitating driving by physically disabled persons.
It can carry three persons, and given its size, can manoeuver through narrow lanes, Prof Shenoy said.
He said the development of the vehicle had cost Rs 70,00-80,000 and hoped to further finetune it if the Karnataka Board of Technical Council provided a grant.
