Sustainable development was first defined in 1987 in the UN Report entitled “Our Common Future”. The report defined Sustainable Development as Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and placed environmental issues firmly on the political agenda with the aim of discussing the environment and development as one single issue. In this framework, transport and mobility plays an outsize role. Accounting for some 64% of global oil consumption, 27% of all energy use and 23% of the world’s energy related carbon dioxide emissions, it is at the epicenter of many challenges confronting global economic and social development. Hence the elevation of transport as a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and UN sponsored COP Meetings – key tools in reducing emissions among other objectives.
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, reflecting global levels constitute the vast majority of the Sri Lankan vehicle fleet. It attracts criticism for not only perpetuating the consumption of fossil fuels and valuable foreign exchange but also increasing pollution thereby jeopardizing health outcomes and absorbing the government health budget disproportionately — all of which threaten the efforts of Sri Lanka in undertaking sustainable development. Accordingly, given its sustainable characteristics, Electric Mobility (e-Mobility) has been widely declared the future of transport and mobility by leading global bodies and is being adopted in earnest across the world with some prohibiting the entry of new ICE vehicles as early as 2030.
In operation since 2014, SL Mobility Pvt. Ltd (SLM) is a company with a vison to revolutionize mobility across Sri Lanka on a sustainable basis. In collaboration with both local and foreign experts in electric vehicle (EV) technology, SLM has focused its efforts not only on small EVs but also on clean power generation to sustain the fleet over time thereby offering a wholesome solution.
The models targeted by SLM consists of an electric 2-wheeler (E2W) and an electric 3-wheeler (E3W) for now with 4-wheelers such as cars, vans, both light & heavy weight utility vehicles and even passenger buses to come later utilizing their powertrain technology. To enable such a fleet to remain mobile 24×7, SLM will also offer charging options via battery swapping and fast charging stations.
Establishing SLM and its pioneering efforts
Research and Development (R&D) are the set of activities undertaken in developing new services and products and in uplifting the performance of existing ones. With the goal of revolutionizing mobility in Sri Lanka utilizing low emission new era technology towards Green economic growth, SLM commenced its journey in 2014 after attending the COP Meeting in Paris.
SLM has 6 major goals in its strategic plan as noted below –
- Low-cost EV assembly
- Low-cost battery packing
- Rapid increase in on the road EV population
- Matching increase in battery charging/swapping stations
- Building export market for advanced hybrid chemical batteries
- Building expertise in EV assembly and battery management systems
SLM believes such a strategy is necessary in order for Sri Lanka to enter and compete in the new EV industry currently evolving globally. The board members of SLM comprises a leading senior team of professionals with a long, unique and diverse experience and expertise, both national and international covering a variety of disciplines to include management, finance, vehicle design & engineering, marketing, etc. The board is presently lead by Chairman Saliya Rajakaruna, Managing Director Rifkhan Siddeek and Directors that include Alessandro Pavoni, Mohamad Zuroor and Mahdy Ahamed.
Going Green at SLM
The transport sector of Sri Lanka is the single largest contributor to green-house gas (GHG) emissions in the country. As petrol and diesel consumption per capita in the country increased, so did GHG emission levels. One major contributory factor is the 1.2 million ICE-based 3-wheeler population in the country that witnessed a 12-fold increase in their numbers by 2019, the year when the import of all vehicles was banned.
To address this catastrophic rise in emission levels and increasing contribution via ICE based 3 wheelers, SLM commenced their journey to not only reverse the trend but also build a sustainable business around it. In collaboration with NL Mobility of the Netherlands, SLM took a calculated leap of faith to electrify the ICE based 3-Wheeler targeting its highly pollutant 2-stroke version. By employing a mix of electrical engineers, motor mechanics, conversion designers, parts suppliers, academics and members of the three-wheeler community, SLM invested some 6 years in expansive research and development work to arrive at an EV solution that was road worthy and sustainable over time in providing first and last mile mobility. The R&D involved not only the vehicle but also the charging infrastructure and a management system to underpin the entire transport platform.
The Electric Three-Wheeler – E3W
The E3W reflects contributions in R&D from a host of players. Briefly the following are those that provided notable inputs –
- Proud Eagle International Ltd – Developer of the world’s most competitive and powerful DC brushless hub motor and EV traction controller.
- Mr. Alessandro Pavoni – a renowned mechanical engineer and creator of the world’s first digital navigation system, TWINMASTER in 1997.
- Assistance from Rotterdam University and Frisian Motors in 2015 to convert 2-stroke three-wheelers to electric along with conversion kits.
2017 saw finalized single motor E3Ws for commercial operation and testing under varying road conditions by students of the Moratuwa University. According to a review conducted by the Moratuwa University, a new E3W compared to a similar ICE 3-wheeler consumed less across a host of parameters including Fuel, Servicing, Tires, Spare parts, Depreciation and Operations thus lowering its TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
With the economic crisis in Sri Lanka deepening amidst a fuel shortage, the E3W provides a shimmering ray of hope all round. Eliminating tailpipe emissions, saving foreign exchange by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and imported spare parts, improving community health, safeguarding energy security, and improved prospects for employment and upskilling are the many benefits that can manifest via the EVs.
Latest development – the E2W – eScooters
With benefit of extensive research, SLM is planning to launch its much-anticipated dual-purpose eScooters, the electric 2-wheeler i.e., the E2W. It is a timely innovation carrying Italian inputs embedded with a First Year Local Value Addition (LVA) of 30% with a planned escalation to near 70% as the product matures in the local market.
US$50 Million pledge by PWER.Me
The E2W is approved and funded by a pledge of US$ 50 million by PWER.Me – the Dutch organization working towards a shared and a balanced economy for sustainable development.
In Round A financing of the project, SLM together with of PWER.Me Directors Rob J. Heijtink and Edward Beek plans (Use picture of Rob Heijtink and Edaward Beek) to utilize $15 million of the pledge to launch the eScooters and install 10 Solar Powered Battery Rental and Battery Swapping Stations which enable eScooter users to swap their dead batteries with fully charged units and hence ensure 24×7 mobility. Round A will cover the Colombo 1 to 15 area initially and is expected to be concluded before year-end 2022.
The Game-Changer
SLM using the multi-million-dollar pledge by PWER.Me is expecting to implement a collection of fully-fledged eco systemic EV charging stations. The custom-made charging stations are designed to provide facilities for battery swapping. They will incorporate Direct Current Charging System for low voltage vehicles such as eScooters and E3Ws and also support Battery Rental. The Stations will be powered by Roof Top Solar Power Systems installed on buildings and private residences situated across the island.
SLM will be making all EVs and Charging Stations compatible with their pioneering E-ZR charging platform. The stations will feature ethernet communication interfaces and real time charging parameters incorporating international safety standards.
Inclusion of IoT in EVs
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of physical objects connected to the internet, collecting and exchanging data throughout the world. In EVs, the battery is the critical component. IoT provides keyless access to the EV and tracks the batteries thereby preventing its theft and loss. Both EVs assembled by SLM includes IoT to maximize user convenience.
In conclusion, small EVs and their 24×7 operation as envisaged by SLM will uniquely change the mobility scenario in Sri Lanka. It assures a sustainable future that the country should adopt and support.