PowerPack: Electricity for more than 12 years at Rs 14500

Manoj Bhargava, the Indian American billionaire who came to limelight with his Five Hour energy drink has unveiled a new product called Hans PowerPack. Bhargava has pledged 99 percent of his fortune to funding the development and delivery of solutions to solve the world’s most pressing problems. His R&D team in the US is researching and developing everything from machines that create fresh water to affordable pollution-free electricity generators and even organic manures that can be prepared from agricultural waste to enhance crop yields.

“Electricity is a great enabler,” Bhargava said when interviewed. “It opens all sorts of opportunities related to education, income, entrepreneurship, communication.  And yet, nearly half the world still only gets power 2-3 hours per day,” says Bhargava, who made it to the Forbes list of the richest Indians in America in 2012. Bhargava feels that mobile electricity is the only solution to power crisis and also the only practical option for rural Indians. “Mobile electricity could change things like mobile phones did,” Bhargava told reporters.

After a researching for over two years in the production facilities in America, engineers of his team have developed HANS PowerPack and the HAN Solar Briefcase. These solar-energy powered products are simple to use and carry and can be recharged by placing them under the sun. The products could be particularly useful in rural households, especially where the natural terrain create a challenge for regular sources of electricity and this 300-watt instrument can run electronic items like bulbs, fan, TV, and computer. 

Bhargava plans to carry out the production in India instead of the US to cut production, as cheaper products would be affordable to the rural community.

At Rs 14,500, the price might seem expensive for the low-income group. But Bhargava insists it's not as expensive as it seems. Guaranteed for 12 years, the products will give electricity to consumers for a long time.