Other States - Madhya Pradesh   

Homoeopath invents environment-friendly car

`Surya' is powered by solar energy, battery, petrol and LPG

Badwani: A 52-year-old homoeopathic physician here has successfully tested a multi-purpose environment-friendly car `Surya' that is powered by a combination of solar energy, battery, petrol and LPG.

The creation of Dr M.L. Kumawat, who had been working on his project for the past three years, measures 84 inches in length, is 42 inches wide and 56 inches tall, and can seat three.

"Keeping in view the various factors constantly polluting the environment, I invented `Surya', but I am sad that the administration did not encourage me. I am still awaiting an opportunity for my invention's formal inauguration," he says.

The vehicle has four forward gears and one reverse. The four-stroke engine is of 1.5 HP.

Plates of photovoltaic cells on the roof and bonnet aid `Surya' in harnessing solar energy and the car can travel at a maximum speed of 50 kmph. The cells have to be recharged after about 80 km but if the journey is on sunny days then the vehicle can go up to 100 km without a recharge.

An electric charger enables the user to even `tank up' `Surya' at home. The petrol and LPG are contingency resources in case the other two sources are unavailable. The car, Dr Kumawat claims, gives a mileage of 50 kmpl on petrol and 75 km per kg LPG.

The inventor has even made the vehicle capable of generating half a kilowatt for domestic use, through its plates and step-up unit, while stationary. If more power is needed, the petrol/gas engine may be started up and 2 KW generated by converting the Permanent Magnet Direct Current Motor into a dynamo.

Born into a farmer's family at Malwada village in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, Dr Kumawat's love for machinery blossomed at the Tractor Repair Training Centre, Budhni. In 1981, he invented India's first rechargeable torch. He also takes credit for a solar generator, battery-operated motorcycle and power tractor driller. He is trying to obtain a patent for `Surya'. "My Ayurveda Ratna son Satish, mechanic Rasheed, his sons Aslam and Shakeel contributed to the making of the car." -- UNI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Homoeopath invents environment-friendly car
100-year-old celebrates 78th wedding anniversary

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu