Source : Indian Defence Analysis
Ministry of Defence releases RFP for procuring 439 Light Electric Vehicles for Indian Armed Forces
The Ministry of Defence has released an RFP on 11th April 2023, for the procurement of 439 light electric vehicles for Indian Army and Air Force along with 35 fast chargers under buy Indian-IDDM category with minimum 50% Indigenous content. Indian Army will receive 415 of these vehicles and remaining 24 is for Indian Air Force.
The present fleet of Light Vehicles of IA and IAF are based on the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) technology which is dependent on fossil fuels and leads to Carbon Emissions & resultant pollution. To keep up with futuristic trends and in support of initiatives of Govt of India to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission, there is need for introduction of Electric Vehicle with fast charging facility in the vehicle fleet of lA and IAF.
Veer from Pravaig(प्रवेग) Dynamics
Bengaluru’s EV startup Pravaig Dynamics has been working for EV vehicles tailored for Indian Armed forces requirement. The EV vehicle is called Veer which has been designed from specification to suspension with the consultation of Indian Army. The Veer is a military off-roading vehicle that combines extraordinary power with an exceptional range that are safer and lighter than most EVs.
Pravaig claims that Veer has a range of over 500 kilometres. It can go from zero to 100 kmph in just 4.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 210 kmph.
The vehicle features a 90-kW lithium-ion battery which takes just 30 minutes to get up to 80 per cent of charge. The Veer’s dual-motor set-up delivers 408hp and 620Nm power. The battery pack is equipped with 5000 hard case cells and can last 10 lakh kilometres.
The vehicle is highly customisable and can be equipped with various types of mounts such as guns and even drones. It features an LCD display on dashboard that can detect & show thermal signatures for objects at distance of up to two kilometres.
Veer Applications
Veer can be used for two main applications which will be reconnaissance and aiding Indian soldiers on the battlefield. Imagine if Indian army is moving ahead with column of tanks, it would need a silent reconnaissance vehicle 15 kilometres ahead and Veer can be useful there. Veer has a low centre of gravity that gives it the ability to cross obstacles.
Indian army is also equipped with array of electronic equipment like lights, cameras, laptops, powerful radios, and drones. Veer which is literally a huge power bank on wheel can be used to power/charge these equipment outside the military base. Ministry of Defence Light Electric Vehicles for Indian Armed Forces Ministry of Defence Light Electric Vehicles for Indian Armed Forces IgMp
