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Indian Army's Electric Maruti Gypsy Spotted On-Road – A New Era of Military Mobility?
Right from its inception, The Indian Army has favoured the Maruti Gypsy. Its small size, agile performance, and ability to navigate tough terrain made it an exceptional choice for the military. Despite discontinuing the Gypsy for the general public, Maruti has continued producing the 4X4 version for the Indian Military.
Indian Armed Forces have joined hands with IIT-Delhi and Tadpole projects with a mission to reduce carbon footprints by transforming army-owned Maruti Gypsy vehicles into fully electric vehicles. As a pilot project, ten units have already been converted. If successful, more conversions can be requested in the future.
One of the key benefits of converting petrol Gypsy into electric is the significant reduction in operational costs. Electric Gypsy has a certified range of 120km. A full charge costs Rs 120, which means the operating cost is Rs 1 per kilometre.
The electric Maruti Gypsy is offered with a 21.7kW battery pack that powers the PMS motor. The electric motor will produce more torque than the petrol engine, resulting in better performance.
It takes approximately 9 hours to charge fully and can reach a top speed of 70kmph. The cost of converting the vehicle to electric comes to Rs 5.79 lakh per unit.
Also, switching to electric vehicles will extend the vehicle's lifespan, reducing the need to buy new ones and saving money. Electric Gypsy has no emissions, which is better considering the environment. In contrast, petrol-powered Gypsy emits around 3.3 grams of carbon per kilometre travelled.
Converting a petrol-powered Gypsy into an electric vehicle requires the removal of the entire engine, fuel tank, and related components, and the vehicle will be equipped with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and a PMS electric motor.
People have spotted the electric version of the Gypsy on the roads for the first time, even though there was some prior information about its existence. Although the electric Gypsy may not be suitable for active military operations, it can be used in civilian areas and cantonments.
In the recent sighting in Delhi, the electric Gypsy does not seem to have any major changes to its body panelling. The only noticeable differences are the green paint job on the sides which says "Pure EV," and the green number plates.
Thoughts on Indian Army's Electric Maruti Gypsy
Even though questions are raised on the practicality of the electric Gypsy, the Indian Army's adoption of the vehicle marks a significant step towards embracing sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
As the Indian Army continues to explore and integrate electric vehicles into its fleet, it sets a positive example for the nation in transitioning towards a more eco-friendly transportation system.
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