Sri Lanka’s first electric super car to cost over US$ 400,000

14 November 2014 04:20 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Vega, Sri Lanka’s first electric super car will be sold at US$ 400,000 upwards, according to Codegen CEO Dr. Harsha Subasinghe who was speaking at the 59th LBR LBO CEOs Forum at the Cinnamon Grand recently.“Middle East and Sri Lanka are the markets. There is a demand for exclusive cars,” he said.He further added t hat t he first prototype will be completed next month, and that once the commercial model is ready, only 40-50 cars will be created a year to maintain exclusivity.

Vega Engineering Consultant Tilak Dissanayake said that Vega’s final aim is to provide city movers instead of just catering to stereotypical rich boys.
“We took a different approach. Instead of starting from the bottom and working up, we decided to create the technology needed for the far fringes,” he said.
According to him, the company could then work its way down to family oriented cars, three seaters and even enclosed 2 seaters for cities and expressways.
Vega Project Manager Dr. Beshan Kulapala said the country will save US$ 2.5 billion a year on energy if the country relied completely on electric cars instead of fuel guzzlers, and that charging electric cars during off peak hours at night would help the Ceylon Electricity Board gain profits by utilizing power generated during those periods.

Dr. Subasinghe, a super car enthusiast who has driven exotic cars across the world, envisioned the project when he found out the cost of importing a Lamborghini or a Tesla Electric supercar was around US$ 1.1-1.3 million, which was available abroad for around US$ 400,000.He said that Vega will go head-tohead with Lamborghinis and Bugattis, with 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds.The car has a top speed of 220 km/h and a range of 220 km. It has over 900 horsepower and 720 nm of torque.

The car will be controlled by a software which runs an algorithm combining the driver’s steering and gear selection and many factors affecting the car on the road, thereby reducing the response time of the vehicle.Other than the batteries, all other components of the car will be created in Sri Lanka at a fraction of the cost it has to be brought at.Dr. Kulapala said that the company will also make a hefty profit selling surplus parts to other electric car manufacturers and enthusiasts internationally.Vega Electronics Engineer Supun Amarasinghe believes that this innovation will motivate other companies to start similar ventures, prevent the intellectuals of the country from leaving, and bring back those who left, thereby creating a reverse brain drain.

Dissanayake said that he was a case in point, being living abroad most his life, and that a number of people who have studied abroad, or had well-paid jobs have instead joined Vega, both as employees or as volunteers. “If other companies want to start similar projects, I would happily volunteer,” he said. The team believes that Vega will be better performing compared to Tesla and Rimac electric car models which will be its main competitors.

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Comments - 18

Ramly Friday, 14 November 2014 07:11 PM

This is just cheap propaganda. To manufacture a car and build from bottom takes years. Effort needs to come from Research institutes, universities, not from a software company. You guys are day dreaming!

new Monday, 13 April 2015 10:32 AM

it is better for going for shopping and short distance. if this car really cost $400000 , who will buy it unless these people give it free. I saw one bare idiot telling they do not need research for making the car and laugh about it. these men are just day dreamers. even if they make this car they can sell in international market. who will believe unknown car designers.

Premalal Saturday, 15 November 2014 08:24 AM

Market in Mid East and Sri-Lanka?? Gee! somebody must be rich here

Sunny Saturday, 15 November 2014 01:24 AM

Tesla 3014 is priced at less tha $100,000. The price of a Vega is in error. Should be $40,000 rather than $400,000?

nura Friday, 14 November 2014 11:53 PM

dream on...!!!!!!!!!!!!!! competing with lambo.......must be another f* sajin pipe-dream....!!!!!...give a " bath packet " to the poor....instead...!!!!!

YD Friday, 14 November 2014 11:49 PM

Great work guys, proud to be a Sri Lankan.

sanjo Friday, 14 November 2014 11:42 PM

All the best!

Nicework Friday, 14 November 2014 10:52 PM

Why would people in the Middle East buy electric cars when they have petrol more than water..

John Ashcroft Friday, 14 November 2014 09:03 PM

Are you icing in this world? Selling a car at USD400k.? What commence sense it is to say ME is the target market - with all the oil under the ground/! Next, SL? OMG please do not bluff so much.Look at TESLA. The top end is available for less than USD 100k with 300 odd miles per charge.Pl do not misguide the consumers.

anthony fernando Friday, 14 November 2014 12:22 PM

Are you also ons who deserted Sri Lanka during the hardship of civil war condemning the country. Anyway we are happy welcome you back and enjoy peace deviants. There are many who refused to see the country as a resilient nation and would defeat terrorism. Please be an example to those still languishing in other countries as third class citizens.

Priyantha Dassanayake Friday, 14 November 2014 07:05 PM

Excellent work,Hope to bye one in future. All the best

iemerald Friday, 14 November 2014 06:03 PM

$400000 is 52.3 million rupees.can anyone afford such a carcertainly not unless you are a very corrupt politician or a drug dealer.forget about the super car and concentrate on the micro car which may be just about affordable tor a few. i would rather have roof over my head for that kind of money.

Rufus R. Friday, 14 November 2014 05:37 PM

There are about 20 electric cars at US market. Some of them are : BMW i3 - $ 41,350, BMW i8 - $ 13570, BYD e6 - $ 52,000, Cadillac ELR - $ 75.000, Chevy Spark EV - $ 27,495, Chevy Volt - $ 34,345, Fiat 5000e - $ 31,800, Ford C - Max Energi - $ 31,635, Ford Focux - $ 29,170Why is the Sri Lankan electric car so expensive?

Amila Friday, 14 November 2014 05:36 PM

Who wants to buy a super car at the cost of USD 400,000 and that is made in Sri Lanka and designed by few unknown Sri Lankansm while they can afford Lambo??Even now, it seems Dr. Subasena is out dated with technical specification and comparison on simple 0-60 mph on Lambo and Bugatti. And he compared Bugatti with Lambo :) - Anyway good luckm at least there is an article to occupy some space

tishan Friday, 14 November 2014 05:25 PM

220 km range car is useless.

Ahamed Friday, 14 November 2014 05:15 PM

It will not success for middle east market. Because petroleum fuel price is not a problem for those people. They need long distance running ability without annoying charging. For South Asia market it will be good. via DM Android App

leel Friday, 14 November 2014 04:49 PM

rehetrhetorics!

Satha Friday, 14 November 2014 02:35 PM

Super Go ahead.Our blessings.

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Sri Lanka’s first electric super car to cost over US$ 400,000

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