Vazirani Automotive Unveils Ekonk: World's Lightest EV
by AutoExpert | 25 October, 2021
It's the "lightest EV ever," says an Indian start-up, and the quickest automobile India has ever manufactured. Called Ekonk, it is an electric prototype created by Mumbai-based Vazirani Automotive. Ekonk complements the company's Shul hypercar idea, which debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year.
Unlike other EVs, the single-seat vehicle employs a proprietary battery technology that uses air instead of liquid cooling to keep its power source cool at high speeds.
The system, dubbed ‘DiCo,' is said to be based on biomimicry, which is how animals adjust their body temp by breath, according to the company. Ekonk is said to weigh 738 kg, due to a carbon fiber body, and boasts an output of 722 hp, a peak speed of 192mph, and a 0-62mph time of 2.5 secs. The prototype automobile was tested at the Natrax high-speed circuit in Indore, India.
According to Vazirani, Ekonk boasts one of the lowest drag indices for a vehicle of its type due to its design, which incorporates covered wheels. The automobile has no electronic driver's assistance and a power-to-weight ratio of one-to-one. Although it is unclear whether the Ekonk will be produced, the technology shown in the model will be used in the new, production-ready Shul.