Is It Legal To Convert Your 2W Vehicle To Electric?

The Indian market is positively adopting 2-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs) due to the ever-rising cost of petrol and maintenance costs associated with petrol vehicles. Of course, there are other advantages like the smooth and quiet ride experience; plus working towards sustainability that is associated with electric vehicles.

The biggest concern to buying new EVs, though, is the lack of EV infrastructure which makes long drives impossible. And its now public knowledge about how EV manufacturers tend to overestimate the range by a 100%.

For the above reason, many of the 21+ crore petrol 2-wheeler owners have started converting their existing petrol vehicles to pure EVs. This option is appealing because it is more affordable than buying a new EV, and the savings on petrol costs make it a financially attractive choice. These vehicles were bought with hard-earned money and carry emotional significance; and though maybe old, are still very well-maintained.

But the next question that arises is; “Is it legal to convert a petrol vehicle to an EV? If yes, are there specific certifications or processes that a consumer should check for retrofitting vehicles?”

The answer is yes. Vehicle conversion, if done properly is accepted & encouraged by the Indian government. In fact, the Tamil Nadu government, in addition to other governments, is also offering subsidy for retrofitting vehicles, instead of buying new ones.

To convert vehicles to EVs, businesses need to obtain approval certifications from a regulatory body like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). These certifications ensure that the converted vehicles meet certain standards for performance, quality, and safety. Additionally, approval from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is required to legally convert and ride the vehicles on the roads.

Again, to cite Tata Nexon EVs, we’ve seen how converting vehicles through unauthorized means can be risky, so it's important to pursue legally approved options only if you wish to proceed with the conversion. While initially, it may look like a quick and inexpensive vehicle conversion, often, these makeshift conversions end up being much more costly in the long run, due to financial penalties, safety concerns, and compromised quality.

1.??Financial Penalties: If caught by the traffic police, individuals involved in illegal conversions may face fines or challans, resulting in unnecessary financial burdens.

2.??Safety Concerns: Illegal retrofitting raises significant safety concerns as the vehicles use untested and unapproved high-capacity batteries. This puts the rider's life at risk and jeopardizes overall road safety.

3.??Compromised Quality: Poor-quality conversions often lead to frequent breakdowns, shorter range than promised, and expensive replacements of the battery pack and other essential components.

In conclusion, converting a petrol two-wheeler into an electric vehicle is a great option for those who want to keep their existing vehicle and save money. However, it's crucial to choose a reputable and legal source for the retrofitment.

Of course, no retrofitment decision can be made until you check out the option of “adding” an electric powertrain to your existing petrol scooter, which gives you the option to ride on “either” petrol “or” EV mode. Green Tiger Mobility is the world's first company to receive approval for converting petrol 2-wheelers into electric-petrol hybrids. Learn about the different types of vehicle conversion and make an informed decision.