Over 1million three-wheelers to have access to affordable electric battery swapping

18 November 2023 09:23 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - One million two hundred thousand three-wheelers in Sri Lanka to be able to offer clean and affordable transportation solutions, with Lanka E-mobility Solutions (Private) Limited

(LEMS) introducing electric three-wheel battery swapping technology, branded as ‘e-wheel’, in Sri Lanka.

The novel battery-swapping technology means the three-wheeler owner no longer has to purchase a costly battery or worry about end-of-life replacement. The battery-swapping process takes a mere two minutes.

Under the new solution, the three-wheeler owners are not required to pay for the batteries, as the batteries and swapping stations are owned and managed by LEMS. The e-wheel owner only pays for the energy used on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The launch of the solution marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards sustainable transportation, with its founders being driven by the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and combat harmful air pollution.

“Sri Lanka’s 1.2 million threewheelers currently guzzle a staggering 5.5 million litres of petrol a day and each e-wheel will help reduce that figure. The e-wheel driver, often the breadwinner of the family, with a mere Rs.450,000 investment, can now save nearly Rs.20,000 per month,” said LEMS Managing Director Chaminda Rajapakse.

“The advantages are prodigious, with savings on valuable forex spent on fuel imports, lubricants and routine maintenance spare parts,” he added.

LEMS was conceived in 2020 and incubated by the Island Climate Initiative (ICI) over the last two years. ICI facilitates investment in circular economy, smart agriculture and clean energy projects and is dedicated to revolutionising Sri Lanka’s transport industry, with cutting-edge electric technology.

“We take the existing petrol three-wheelers, remove their engine and replace it with a brand new electric powertrain. The entire conversion process takes just two hours. Once converted, the vehicle can immediately start using our battery swapping services,” said LEMS Cofounder and Director Shirendra Lawrence.

He added that the battery swapping stations would initially be conveniently located across Colombo and its immediate suburbs, with expansions to Galle and Kandy already being planned “Once converted, no oil changes or services are required. What’s more, to run a petrol three-wheeler, it costs over Rs.20 a kilometre, whereas the cost of running an e-wheel is less than Rs.15 a kilometre,” he said.

People’s Leasing & Finance PLC is the exclusive finance and leasing partner in this groundbreaking e-wheel revolution.
Commenting on the effort, People’s Leasing & Finance PLC Chief Executive Officer Shamindra Marcelline said, “By supporting LEMS in introducing this innovative electric three-wheel battery swapping technology, branded as the e-wheel, we are contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation solution for Sri Lanka. This project is a crucial component of our broader sustainability initiatives, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and combat air pollution.”

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Comments - 22

Bandu Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:57 AM

Only thing is SL's ingeniousness to rob may find a way to lift the whole e-unit if it takes a few minutes to fix then only a few minutes to unfix. Many 3WHs are complaining of the existing batteries being lifted.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:26 AM

Theft is a different issue. This does not increase theft. It may actually prevent it if GPS tagging is included in the engine . Only concern is that you need to generate additional electricity and for that you have to spend dollars too. But if solar energy can be used (solar panels cost too) to recharge the batteties at the main station then it would be great. The cost differential of Rs 5 is not enough though.

Bandu Saturday, 18 November 2023 05:40 PM

Theft does not take place when running the vehicle but parked overnight. So GPS useless. In a couple of minutes the GPS can be dismantled. No trace - not like tracking a running vehicle.

Sokrates Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:03 AM

No electric 3-wheelers are needed. These running death traps and traffic obstacles must completely disappear from Sri Lanka's roads. This could be done gradually over a period of 5 years, with an immediate import stop being imposed. Now would be the right time to pass a corresponding law, as Ranil does not have to take political considerations. He doesn't need to worry about the votes of the 3-wheeler drivers, the importers, spare parts suppliers and others involved in this business, since he has no chance of being elected as president by the people anyway.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 18 November 2023 06:00 PM

This is not practical as these 3 wheelers are being used by millions of people. If you give cars to these 3 wheel drivers , they will drive the cars the same way, so you ban cars too? Why not try to educate them on a continuous basis and monitor their behaviour as well.

Mohamed Burhan Saturday, 18 November 2023 11:35 AM

To make matters easy looks very confusing yr msg.mostly very uneducated people in this trade.As a beginning give them a coupon or some sort of arrangement and give them a electric battery free of charge.

Dee Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:54 PM

Most 3 wheeler drivers don’t genuinely earn money from ‘hiring’ . Therefore they will so no economic sense in conversion! Maybe 10% will do convert.

wsw Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:13 PM

The issue at hand is, these three wheelers are a menace on our roads. They need to be banned completely, not rebranded and modified. The Tuktuk operators to be provided other opportunities to enhance their vocational skills to pursue meaningful disciplined careers.

Roger D S Saturday, 18 November 2023 04:58 PM

3Ws will be here for sometime until a more reliable

Needs to Upgrade Transportation Modes Sunday, 19 November 2023 04:47 PM

a more reliable public or private form of transportation is implemented. Most use 3Ws for short distances in Colombo. Ideally a underground rail system is setup in densely populated areas

Karalasingam Sivalingam Saturday, 18 November 2023 04:10 PM

Good technology, but Three-wheeler fares could come down to Rs 40/= per KM.

ANNECUNT Saturday, 18 November 2023 06:38 PM

WHERE IS OUR MR 10% do we have to pay commission for this human animal(hyena) mr basil

Gihan silva Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:10 PM

why do we need threwheels in this country... more crime, more accident, more theft, tourised are harrased and what not?? do we need these morons in this country

Roger D S Sunday, 19 November 2023 11:58 AM

What’s the alternative for the millions using this mode of transportation??

Avery Markham Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:11 PM

Civilised countries do not have three wheelers. Safety being the major concern.

Roger D S Sunday, 19 November 2023 11:51 AM

Unless the average person can afford a personal vehicle, 3Ws will be here to stay for many more years

Roger D S Sunday, 19 November 2023 12:33 PM

You are right. What’s the alternative for the millions using these 3Ws who can’t afford private vehicles?

ERAN Wicks Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:13 PM

Ban 3 wheelers and make the importers buy back and export to Africa.

Zaza Saturday, 18 November 2023 09:59 PM

This is an Island of Coming! Coming!! At the end of the day, nothing comes. We were to see EV trishaws, and white trishaws one year back. None can take us to the promised land.

Roger D S Sunday, 19 November 2023 12:35 PM

Until someone can come up with a solution, 3Ws are here to stay!

Jayampathi Sunday, 19 November 2023 11:45 AM

We have to make sure renewable energy is used to recharge the battery. If they used power from the national grid to charge the battery no saving on FOREX as we are heavily dependent on diesel for power generation.

shifaz Sunday, 19 November 2023 12:44 PM

government should invest more on public transport, three-wheeler is not public transport

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Over 1million three-wheelers to have access to affordable electric battery swapping

Comments - 22

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