CHIDAMBARAM: Scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have developed a technology that promises to enhance the range of electric cars by about 50 per cent.

Addressing a symposium at the 94th session of the Indian Science Congress here, M. Natarajan, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and DRDO chief, said trials showed that with the new technology, electric cars could run up to 120 km after every charge against the current range of 80 km achieved by Reva.

The new technology combines battery with fuel cells. While the battery was the regular one used in Reva cars, the fuel cell was based on phosphoric acid.

A car using the new technology was being tested at the Naval Material Research Laboratory at Ambarnath, 60 km from Mumbai, and it was performing satisfactorily.

The DRDO had also designed an innovative structure to protect the approach road to the new underground tunnel at Rohtang Pass from avalanches.

The 8.8-km tunnel, connecting Manali in Himachal Pradesh to Leh, was of strategic importance for the Army. The anti-avalanche structure would help divert the huge masses of snow hurtling down the mountain slopes away from the approach road.

The design was being tested at the entry point of the tunnel from the Manali side and the results were quite encouraging. It would be soon transferred to the Border Road Organisation for replication.

About 12 avalanche-prone segments had been identified in the area.

Dr. Natarajan said the DRDO was also working on a tie-up with research groups in universities across the country for conducting basic research.

Already, memoranda of understanding had been signed with a group of researchers at the Central University in Hyderabad and another at Bharatiyar University of Life Sciences at Coimbatore.

"We are looking for forging tie-up with research groups in universities prepared to pursue fundamental research on various aspects of interest to the defence forces. This is because DRDO mainly focused on developing technologies and was not able to concentrate much on basic research. Funding is not a problem. We are ready to provide as much funds as necessary. The only criterion is that the group should be good."

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