Inventor of the Ampere Angel Electric Bike, Annamalai Hemalatha
The Ampere Angel Electric Bicycle is a viable alternative to pedal-power and internal combustion, particularly in rural communities where gas stations are few and far between, but access to electricity is reliable.
Electric bicycles have been around for a number of years, but where the Ampere differs is in its removable battery pack that can charge other devices, anywhere at anytime.
In 2007 software engineer Annamalai Hemalatha was at a conference at Japan’s Kyushu University in Fukuoka. Toyota had just made a statement to the effect that the internal combustion engine was becoming out-of-date.
Hemalatha, or Hema to those who know her, was somewhat surprised; what could possibly replace internal combustion?
“I WAS INTRIGUED,” SHE SAYS. “HOW COULD PEOPLE EVEN THINK OF GETTING RID OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE?”
So Hema took a research trip to Switzerland, where she attended the International Mobility Forum in Geneva. She had heard the forum was being held to share the latest electric vehicle technologies, which were being developed for the Western market. She could foresee how similar technology could become integral to transport systems in isolated rural communities of her home country, India.
“I COULD SEE THESE ELECTRIC BICYCLES HAD HUGE POTENTIAL IN THE GROWING AND EMERGING MARKETS,” SHE SAYS, “AND THAT WAS THE TRIGGER FOR THE AMPERE.”
Three years later, Hema saw the first of her Ampere Angel Electric Bicycles come off the assembly line.
A NEW TYPE OF ELECTRIC BIKE
Electric bicycles have been around for a number of years, but where the Ampere differs is in its removable battery pack that can charge other devices, anywhere at anytime.
With a lifetime of 300 – 500 recharges, the 250-watt, 36 volt battery can run for 45 kilometres between charges, each of which takes six to eight hours.
According to the enthusiastic 46-year-old Hema, the Ampere is a viable alternative to pedal-power and internal combustion, particularly in rural communities where gas stations are few and far between, but access to electricity is reliable.
“MOST ELECTRIC BICYCLES ARE PRIMARILY MADE FOR WESTERN MARKETS,” HEMA SAYS.
“BUT AMPERE ELECTRIC BICYCLES ARE DESIGNED FOR MOBILITY IN RURAL MARKETS, WHERE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS NOT EFFECTIVE, AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO GET TO SCHOOL, WORK, OR THE SHOPS.”
“IT’S A POLLUTION-FREE ALTERNATIVE, AND THE BATTERY CAN BE USED AS A POWER SOURCE TO REPLACE THINGS LIKE KEROSENE LIGHTING, OR AS A UPS.”
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
But one of Ampere’s biggest challenges in reaching its intended market has been funding. At US$375, and using intelligent battery technology, it may be difficult for low income customers to afford the bike.
Hema says she is yet to find patient investors with ‘empathy capital’ to invest in the Ampere.
“BUT WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL IMPACT BY BREAKING MANY MYTHS ABOUT THE INDUSTRY AND ITS COST,” SHE SAYS.
In order to make the bike more affordable to low income customers, some distributors are aiming to offer payment by instalments. Kopernik and Essmart are partnering to do just this in their Gear Up Tamil Nadu, India project.
Hema says she is aiming to reduce Ampere’s price as its market share grows. Based on current sales trends, Hema can foresee reducing costs by about 25 percent within the next 12 months through volume economics.
“WE’RE ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID MOBILITY SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE THEIR LIVELIHOODS,” SHE SAYS.
The Ampere Angle Electric Bicycle is manufactured by Hema’s company, Ampere Vehicles, which employs about 25 women who were retrenched from a textile factory.
“SO WE’RE ALSO ABOUT EMPOWERING WOMEN,” HEMA SAYS.
Hema is also motivated to change mindsets from petrol to electricity.
“IF THE YOUNGER GENERATION START USING ELECTRICITY AS TRANSPORT, THEY WILL STICK WITH ELECTRICITY AS TRANSPORT, AND EVENTUALLY THE POPULATION WILL SAY ‘NO’ TO PETROL.”
PARTNERSHIP WITH KOPERNIK
Kopernik is currently looking for local partners interested in connecting this technology with last mile communities. Learn more on our website, and submit a local partner enquiry here.
To help us connect the Ampere Angel Electric Bicyles with families in rural Tamil Nadu, you can donate to our Gear Up Tamil Nadu, India project.
