E-RICKSHAW

Electric Rickshaws (E-rickshaws) are small vehicles, with three wheels and use electric power from batteries to run. They use an electric motor as engine which draws electric power from the rechargeable batteries installed in the rickshaw body. These battery operated vehicles are perfect for small distant transport, both cargo and people; they are perfect for running on narrow streets because of their small size. But the biggest reason for their popularity is low operating cost and zero pollution. They are like normal rickshaws but powered by electric motor instead of petrol or diesel motor. They are best for pollution free, environmental friendly transport system in short distances. Actually they are not capable of running long distance.

E-rickshaws are now one of the preferred modes of transport in streets because of its low maintenance cost, low fuel cost, eco-friendly, no noise pollution, easy to drive and last but not the least livelihood, e-rickshaw is a boon to the common Man. Without putting in much physical efforts and without investing much amount of money, the earning is quite good for an e-rickshaw driver and hence it is an important means of livelihood for many.

These e-rickshaws consist of 3 wheels with a differential mechanism at rear wheels. Basically these vehicles have a mild steel tubular chassis. The motor is brushless DC motor manufactured mostly in India and China. The electrical system used in Indian version is 48V DC can run 90-100 km/full charge. Basic seating capacity is driver plus 4 passengers

These vehicles are now started using in transporting light weight goods as e-loader. Hence there are lots of opportunities of income.

There are two types of e-rickshaw:

a) E-Rickshaw (Passenger)

b) E-Rickshaw (Cargo)

E-Rickshaw (Passenger)

“E-rickshaw” means a special purpose battery operated vehicle having three wheels and intended to provide last mile connectivity for transport of passengers for hire or reward, provided

i. Such vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry not more than four passengers, excluding the driver, and not more than forty kilograms luggage in total;

ii. The net power of its motor is not more than 2000 W;

iii. The maximum speed of the vehicle is not more than 25km/h

Electric rickshaws (also known as Tuk Tuk, e-rickshaw) have been becoming more popular in some cities since 2008 as an alternative to auto rickshaws and pulled rickshaw because of their low fuel cost, and less human effort compared to pulled rickshaws. They are being widely accepted as an alternative to Petrol/Diesel/CNG auto rickshaws. They are 3 wheels pulled by an electric motor ranging from 650-1400 Watts. They are mostly manufactured in China, only a few other countries manufacture these vehicles.

Battery-run rickshaws could be a low-emitter complementary transport for the low-income people, who suffer most from a lack of transport facility, if introduced in a systematic manner according to experts.

The electric automobile did not easily develop into a viable means of transportation. Research waned from 1920-1960 until environmental issues of pollution and diminishing natural resources reawakened the need of a more environmentally friendly means of transportation. Technologies that support a reliable battery and the weight of the needed number of batteries elevated the price of making an electric vehicle.[6] In 1837, Robert Davidson of Scotland appears to have been the builder of the first electric car, but it wasn’t until the 1890s that electric cars were manufactured and sold in Europe and America. During the late 1890s, United States roads were populated by more electric automobiles than those with internal combustion engines.

E-Rickshaw is the most convenient and safe mode of local transportation of two or four passengers. E-rickshaw is commonly available in India and other parts under developed & developing countries for hiring on small rentals for limited time. Apart from E-Rickshaw, company will also make E-Rickshaw which can carry weight up to 300 Kgs.

E-Rickshaw drivers will obtain license through which he/she can drive E-rickshaw in city. The entire assembly and fabrication work for mfg. E-Rickshaw performed in highly automatic plants.

The components are made as per standard specifications and hence permit 100% inters changeability and the chassis is fabricated accordingly keeping the optimum ground clearance and other factors in view. Components are available in ready to use surface conditions. Automatic assembly-fixtures, working tools and testing equipments cover the range of installations. Normally the E-Rickshaw assembly unit with installed capacity around one lacks Nos. p.a., falls in a medium scale industry category. But a SSI-Unit can also be started with limited facilities like:-

E-Rickshaws are three wheel battery operated vehicles, which are considered as an upgrade to conventional rickshaws, and economically better than auto rickshaws and other fuel variants, these rickshaws, since are battery powered have zero emission, and is often argued to be much better than other rickshaws as they are considered almost pollution free. E rickshaws are now fairly popular amongst Indian rickshaw drivers and has created new opportunities for people, as they require minimum investment to earn a living. They offer huge returns in less time, and are easy to operate and has low maintenance and running cost. A lot of variants are available these days, most of them started as low quality products and were imported from China. These days Indian e rickshaws have been developed offering a higher quality and better services at an equivalent cost. E rickshaws can provide a decent income since the battery charging cost is far lower than any other fuel, new material such as fiberglass has been introduced in t
hem, since the material provides high strength, durability and lighter than metals.

E–Rickshaws or Electric rickshaws have been becoming more popular in most parts of the globe since 2008. In India, e – rickshaws began to gain popularity since 2011.

As these rickshaws faced a ban by the Indian government in the capital city of Delhi, the increase in their number failed. But, still they are widely used in most parts of the country.

On 8 October, 2014, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified the rules to regulate the e- rickshaws by making important amendments under the Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989. In March 2015, the Parliament passed the amendments and finally, legalized the use of electric rickshaws.

Recently, the transport department decided to introduce these e-rickshaws in four major cities of Maharashtra – Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik.

Now, that these new age vehicles will be available on the streets soon, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of e-rickshaws.

E-rickshaw or electric rickshaw is gaining popularity in India since 2011 due to their low cost and high efficiency they are accepted on the Indian streets, they are still widely used in many parts of India.

E-rickshaws are now one of the preferred mode of transport in streets because of its low maintenance cost, low fuel cost, Eco-friendly, no noise pollution, easy to drive and last but not the least livelihood, e-rickshaw is a boon to the common man. Without putting in much physical efforts and without investing much amount of money, the earning is quite good for an e-rickshaw driver and hence it is an important means of livelihood for many.

These e-rickshaws consist of 3 wheels with a differential mechanism at rear wheels. Basically these vehicles have a mild steel tubular chassis. The motor is brush-less DC motor manufactured mostly in India and China. The electrical system used in Indian version is 48VDC can run 90– 100 km/full charge, top speed 25 km/hour and this electric motor power ranging from 650-1400 Watts; the battery takes 8–10 hrs to become fully charged. Basic seating capacity is driver plus 4 passenger total 5 persons.

It is intended to prepare a Feasibility Report to install an Electric Rickshaw Production facility with a capacity of 6000 Nos/ Year as a Green Field Project.