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Durban Street man invents his own electric vehicle
The Waterfalls Magazine – From selling and repairing electric bikes to building his own model of an electric vehicle, Kevin Phillips, a local businessman of Durban Street, Georgetown is working towards becoming the Elon Musk of the Caribbean.
Phillips posing next the electric car he invented
Phillips, co-owner of Phillips E-Bike Shop on Durban Street has been repairing all types of electric bikes and vehicles since they became a trend in Guyana some three years ago.
Recently, the businessman pulled up in front of Kaieteur News in an invention of his own. Taken aback by the strange looking vehicle, The Waterfalls pulled him in for an interview just to find out what it was.
“This is a small electric trike” Phillips said as he welcomed the opportunity to tell The Waterfalls about his invention.
“I built it from scrap materials. I put (welded) together different things and built this car. It is homemade, China in Guyana,” Phillips told The Waterfalls.
The vehicle has two seats and slightly resembles an Indian rickshaw or three-wheel bike. However, Phillips’ version has a steering wheel, and pedals and an automatic transmission like that of a small car.
To add a little flair to his design, he used leatherette covering for the roof and sides of the car. He also installed a basket like trunk at the back of the vehicle to fetch a small amount of load.
Phillips said that the vehicle is powered by four batteries and a small 800-watt DC motor and can reach a top speed of 45 Kilometers per hour. To conserve battery power, Phillips used small 12-inch tyres for less traction.
Phillips’ goal is to manufacture more of these vehicles but for now, he just wants to get his first prototype legally registered.
Kaieteur News Publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall takes a photo with Phillips’ electric car
“I would love to register this car. I don’t want to build something I can’t drive”, Phillips said.
He has already visited the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to see if there is a possibility of registering his vehicle but since it’s the first of its kind ever built, it was impossible.
Nevertheless, Phillips hopes that the relevant authorities can recognize that Guyanese have capabilities in manufacturing their own vehicles and work on a system to have them legally registered.
Once this hurdle is crossed, Phillips believes that he can move to the next stage of mass producing his invention.
“I can source parts from China and make more right here in Guyana”, a positive Phillips stated.
If he gets the opportunity to move in that direction, he estimates that a car like his can be resold for around $450,000.
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