29 May,2011 12:22 PM IST | | Yoshita Sengupta
Pune resident Ayub Khan Pathan was seen riding his solar-powered two-wheeler to Mantralaya last week to leave an impressed bunch of ministers wishing more Indians would take up the eco cause. The starter-free, kick-free, fuel-free bike will soon be available in the open market, Pathan promises
Sometimes, the greatest inventions have the humblest of beginnings. Ayub Khan Pathan, son of a farmer from Ahmednagar, moved to Pune with barely Rs 250 and a Bachelor's degree in Electronics, 21 years ago. Today, the 44 year-old is the creator of a two-wheeler that runs entirely on solar energy, and is the product of decades of research in alternative energy sources.
Ayub Khan Pathan rides his solar-powered bike at the Teenbatti junction
in Walkeshwar. The Pune resident is in Mumbai to garner support from
politicians for his novel innovation. Pics/Bipin Kokate
Pathan took the plunge early. As a 20 year-old, he began his own company, Alight Electronics, to manufacture and sell solar lamps. Five years later, in 1995, he began selling another invention -- a solar powered inverter that provided power for eight hours flat. This, he sold to vegetable vendors and stall owners for Rs 1,200 -- about half the price of an inverter that works on electricity.
"I wanted to promote eco-friendly and economical ways of obtaining power at the grass-root level," says Pathan, who has spent twenty years tinkering in his workshop, coming up with ways to do just that.
Three years ago, he had a brainwave that could easily be the Next Big Thing in the auto industry -- a hybrid non-geared two wheeler that gets its juice not from a petrol pumping engine, but through a solar panel stuck to its apron (below the headlight, above the front wheel).
Purchased from a junkyard, the 80cc Scooty was modified -- Pathan worked on its frame, fitted a simple 40 watt solar panel and threw in a direct current (DC) motor, which was then connected to the rear wheels of the bike. The solar panel would charge the DC motor, which in turn, would power the wheels.u00a0
After three years of trials and modifying, Pathan had on his hands a two-wheeler that could run for between 200 to 250 km at an average speed of 45 km/h. The best part: at 25 kg, just about anyone could ride this bike.
"It has no kick, no starter and does not need fuel or electricity to function," Pathan says, with obvious pride.
Pathan also fitted a device (called a charger controller card) between the solar panel and the motor, to ensure that the supply of power stops once the motor is charged.
And Pathan's solar motorcycle is prepared for rainy days too. "There is a multi-purpose socket in the bike that charges the bike using regular electric supply on days the sun doesn't shine."
The multi-purpose 500-watt socket, he added, has been devised so that it can supply power to electronic equipment such as televisions and computers. One can also charge a mobile phone while riding the two-wheeler.
While Pathan spent Rs 27,000 on putting the invention together, he insists that when produced on a large-scale, the cost will be reduced by nearly Rs 10,000. "In a large-scale systematic production, I will be able to sell the motorcycle for Rs 16,000. Besides, there will be no additional costs to the customer, including fuel." Given the recent fuel hike across the country, this might sound like good news to most. For Pathan, however, it is a step towards negating the effects of global warming.u00a0
Pathan was in Mumbai last week to exhibit his invention to ministers. "I met Ajit Pawar (Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra), RR Patil (Home Minister), Chhagan Bhujbal (Public Works Minister) and a few others," he claims.
"I want to meet the Chief Minister," he adds.
The response from ministers has been positive, Pathan claims. "They really liked the idea of using solar energy and said people should take more initiatives like I have to solve the crisis. They assured to help me develop the product and provide financial assistance."
Step one over, Pathan has now set his sights on obtaining a patent for his invention. He then plans to sell it in the open market after making a slight modification on the existing model. "I want to integrate the solar panel that is right now attached externally, into the motorcycle. I also intend to install solar LED headlights, left and right indicators and brake indicators. This will reduce the weight of the two-wheeler by 2 to 3 kgs, which will ensure better performance," he says.
