The first electric Car Of India “LOVEBIRD”
CLcompany is happy to pick up this story, on the early attempt by an Indian manufacturer, on electric cars. It’s an interesting story which could have turned out to be a winner, but now is part of the lesser-known Vintage Car folklore.
“LOVEBIRD” concept electric car was a cute two-seater. It ran on a direct current electric motor which was powered by a rechargeable lead-acid battery.
The Love Bird was designed and created by the Eddy Electric series. The electric car has an electronic chopper controller that helps the vehicle to give smooth speed control. It had a four-speed automatic transmission with a reverse gearbox, which made the ride more comfortable in all road conditions.
Lovebird announced at New Delhi Auto Expo, 1993
Eddy introduced India’s first electric car when the electric vehicle term was still under the development stage in the automobile industry. The Lovebird was displayed in the Auto Expo, New Delhi in 1993 and had also won awards. Eddy current controls (India) Limited is a public company started in the year 1971. They started the manufacture of Eddy Current Variable Speed Drives and related control systems in India in collaboration with M/s Yaskawa Electric Mfg. Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Lovebird featured a lightweight high tensile steel chassis, fibreglass reinforced polyester body and above all offered a pollution-free & noiseless ride.
Fate of Lovebird
Lovebird passed all tests required for government approval in 1993, but the company managed to sell only a marginal number of cars. As per the sources, the withdrawal of subsidies on electric cars was a death blow to the demand for the novel vehicles. Thus the dream ended but hopefully, the spirit of innovation thrived.
Source / Credit : eddyindia.in