November 8, 2021 at Kalaphruek Room 5, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of the University; Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-Aswapati Charoen, Ph.D., Vice President for International Affairs; Asst. Prof. Denpong Soodphakdee, Ph.D., Vice President for Digital; Asst. Prof. Arwut Yimtae, Vice President for Infrastructure and Environment; Asst. Prof. Acharawan Tophark-ngarm, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for International Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Rachapon Santiwarakorn, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Khun Wilawan Angsunantawiwat, Director of the Division of International Affairs; and Khun Kasem Phuthamma, Director of the Division of Security; welcomed Mr. Ogiwara Shoichi, President of Thai-MC Company Limited, Mitsubishi Company (Thailand) Ltd. and the delegation on the occasion of their visit to discuss collaboration and transfer of 12 EV-Motorcycles.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University conveyed the welcoming address when the delegation arrived. Next, Mr. Ogiwara Shoichi, President of Thai, Mitsubishi Company (Thailand) Ltd. said that Khon Kaen University and the Mitsubishi Company (Thailand) Ltd. have been in collaboration for research, technology and innovation including sustainable alternative energy and solar energy, which are in line with the Green Campus policy of KKU.
The next session was the transfer of the 12 EV-Motorcycles in front of Sirikunakorn Building to the President, with a number of staff members who are involved, followed by demonstration of the EV motorcycles at work.
Assoc. Prof. Rachapon Santiwarakorn, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering revealed that from the University’s Green Campus policy, the Faculty has been looking for ways to reduce the use of fuel and replace it with electric power. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Company (Thailand) Ltd. had a CSR project, which was supporting other faculties in KKU. Later, the company changed the support into one about alternative energy. The Faculty of Engineering therefore made a proposal for support on EV-Motorcycle Project and was granted an amount of 2 million baht for producing 12 EV motorcycles. The outstanding trait of the motorcycle is the charging system that allows the vehicle to turn to battery without having to park the car, which takes some time and thus is inconvenient. The EV motorcycle is the prototype, 7 of which will be used by the Security Division of KKU for the Division’s mission. The information on safety and carbon monoxide reduction will also be collected for further research.
“The EV motorcycle will bring other benefits related to research studies. We have already developed different control systems. In addition, we have incorporated the digital system as one of the controllers, with reports available through Applications on the mobile phone attached to each vehicle. Next, we’re going to develop the car with more suitable cost and promote students to use this kind of motorcycle instead in order to reduce nonrenewable fuels.”
Assoc. Prof. Rachapon Santiwarakorn went on to explain about the performance of the EV-Motorcycle. “It is an EV motorcycle that is made in 3 standard sizes, i.e., 1,000 watts, 1,500 watts, and 2,000 watts. These will be different in the driving power and in seating of 1 or 2 persons. The fastest speed is 50 km/hour/one battery. There is the tracing system for the distance and the energy use on mobile phone for the user. We are concerned about the topography of Khon Kaen University campus with different elevations, therefore we made the motorcycles in three sizes. The usage of each will be noted from usage data collection in order to develop the next models. The production might be on a business platform in the future and then we will be able to move to more complete Green Campus.”
The visit by the business sector this time ended with discussions of different things that can be the future collaboration. This year, the company will give the University 2 million baht more for development of small EV transit vehicles.
News / Photos: Udomchai Supannawong
