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An EV Auto Rickshaw with Detachable Scooter

From India, transforming design for flexible use

By Rain Noe - January 30

in Cars

Surge EV, a startup from India, has designed a unique transforming EV for the Indian market. Called the S32, in its combined form it resembles the auto rickshaws common in that part of the world:

However, the fascia can be popped open, and the driver can then remove the thing they'd been sitting on—a separate scooter:

This provides a great deal of flexibility. A delivery driver or vendor could configure the vehicle each morning (or on-the-fly) for that day's specific hauling needs, traffic constraints or energy availability. Both the scooter and the rickshaw body have their own separate batteries and motors; the batteries are charged independently. When the units are combined, the body's larger 11 kWH battery and motor do the driving, with the ability to haul 500kg (1,102 lbs). The scooter's smaller 3.5 kWH battery and motor are only activated when the units are separated. The top speeds are, respectively, 50 and 60 km/h (31 and 37 mph).

Furthermore, the body will be offered in multiple configurations, including a passenger-carrying option:

The company says the conversion takes three minutes and can be done tool-free.

At press time prices were not announced, but the company says they're aiming for production in 2025.

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Bastian Lee

9 months ago

Z

Z

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*arrgh should be "its" ... I wish there was an editing option

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- Stuart Constantine
  
  Bastian Lee
  
  9 months ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
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  Actually "it's" is correct. That is the contraction for "it is"
  
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  - Bastian Lee
    
    Stuart Constantine
    
    9 months ago
    
    Z
    
    Z
    
    But in my sentence "its" functioned as the possessive determiner.
    
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  - Bastian Lee
    
    Stuart Constantine
    
    9 months ago
    
    Z
    
    Z
    
    Ah now I see, I meant to refer to the second occurrence
    
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Bastian Lee

9 months ago

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Mh it's cool, but I don't get what's the real benefit. With all the added complexity to enable the coupling of the two vehicles I have the impression that giving the car it's own front wheel and steering unit would be about equally expensive. Albeit with the benefit of actually having two vehicles. Maybe if parking space is limited the combo is appreciated.

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Denis Garmash

9 months ago

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Can be a hit in the Asia and China particular if goes electric

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