Government School Trio Creates Affordable Eco-Friendly Electric Cycles

Mangaluru: At Guruvayankere, a village in Belthangady Taluk, three young minds from the local Government School are quietly scripting a narrative of sustainable transportation, blending science with the spirit of 'Vocal for Local'.

Advith C Shetty, a 10th-grade student, of Government High School- Guruvayankere alongside his classmate Manish Bekal and Arman Riyaz of 9th grade, are making the best use of Atal Tinkering Lab of their school and have embarked on a remarkable journey, transforming standard bicycles into eco-friendly electric counterparts. Their creation, born not in a high-tech facility but in their government school.

It is a symbol of resilience, challenging stereotypes about what students from Government Schools can achieve.

The numbers—a staggering 25 km mileage and an exciting 40 km top speed for a half an hour charge—are impressive, but the real beauty lies in the simplicity of their invention. A reverse charge mechanism allows a mere 45 minutes of pedaling to breathe life into the lithium ion battery.

"We initially wanted to do an electric cycle. But as there was not enough budget, we came up with converting an old cycle. This is affordable. At a cost of about Rs 6,000 a standard cycle can be converted into an electric cycle," Advith told Deccan Chronicle.

He says that their unit would help those who cannot afford a new electric cycle or the costly kit.

During a recent exhibition, the students' creation caught the attention of a faculty member, who promptly enlisted them to convert her son's bicycle. The successful transformation served as a testament to the practicality and efficacy of their invention.

This isn't just a cycle; it's a lifeline that can illuminate homes with three LED bulbs for up to two hours.

"Once the cycle is fully charged, we have another set of three cells which can be charged while the cycle runs. This can be used to light up a house. By using a small AC to DC converter, this battery can illuminate three LEDs for two hours," he added.

The students who wanted a controller for the cycle found that it costs about Rs 1,500. This is where they made use of the Atal Tinkering Lab.

"We prepared a powerful controller by using the components in our Atal tinkering lab. It cost about Rs 500 for us," he added.

This electric cycle, with a commendable capacity of up to 110 kg, incorporates modern features like a battery level indicator and GPS for an enriched user experience and safety. The inclusion of a Battery Management System (BMS) ensures overcharging is a thing of the past.

The students have benefited significantly from the steadfast support extended by Head Master Padmalatha, Science Teacher Yogish Nayak B, and Atal Tinkering Lab incharge Jagannath Panijal.

During the holiday season after the board examinations, these students are eager to invest their break in continuing their innovative work, crafting more electric cycles.

The students have participated in various exhibitions and received prizes for their invention.