Enhancing Fuel Efficiency and Performance in Two-Wheelers via Hybrid Retrofitting

Abstract

In India, two-wheelers are a common mode of transportation, resulting in significant petrol consumption. This growing demand for fuel contributes heavily to the country's expenditure, with 80–90% of spending allocated to petroleum imports. This dependency not only strains the economy but also drives up petrol prices, rising inflation concerns are closely linked to environmental challenges, with India being the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The transport sector alone accounts for 13% of the country's CO₂ emissions, particularly in densely congested areas. Although there is a growing push for (EVs), widespread adoption remains challenging. A practical alternative is to retrofit existing petrol-powered scooters into hybrid electric models rather than discarding them. This strategy aligns with the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 (NEMMP 2020), promoting cleaner mobility while reducing carbon emissions. Our project focuses on improving urban transportation by converting conventional scooters into hybrid electric vehicles. The proposed system involves modifying a petrol scooter equipped with an 80cc internal combustion engine by replacing the back wheel with an electric hub motor. This transformation creates a two-wheel drive system, where the hub motor powers the back wheel and the traditional engine drives the front wheel.