Lords Automotive Vayu

The Lords Automotive Vayu is a fully built, high-speed electric auto rickshaw from Lords Mobility, priced at Rs 3.50 lakh (ex-showroom). It is an L5M high-speed passenger carrier that seats a driver plus three passengers (D+3), making it a practical choice for city ride-hailing, airport shuttles and shared passenger routes that need to travel beyond the 25 km/h low-speed band.

Range and charging

The Vayu runs on a 200 Ah lithium-ion battery pack at 51.2 V, which works out to about 10.24 kWh of capacity, and claims a range of 150-180 km on a single charge. A full charge takes roughly 1.5 to 4 hours from a standard socket, which suits overnight home or depot charging. With a governed top speed of 55 km/h, the range holds up best on mixed city duty rather than sustained highway running.

Performance and payload

An 8 kW PMSM motor drives the rear wheel through an automatic transmission with one forward and one reverse gear, with drum brakes at both ends and a 235 mm ground clearance for rough patches. The Vayu has a kerb weight of 419 kg, a 2005 mm wheelbase and a 3x3 axle configuration, and its telescopic front and coil spring rear suspension are tuned for passenger comfort. A day cabin with a standard seat, parking brake and driver information display rounds out the package.

Who should buy it

The Vayu is aimed at owner-drivers and small fleet operators running urban passenger trips in metro and semi-urban areas. With zero tailpipe emissions, a claimed 150-180 km range and low running cost per kilometre, it suits operators upgrading from CNG or petrol autos who want a high-speed L5M model without the premium price of larger electric autos.