E-Rickshaw: The current status
The new e-rickshaw service in India is known by the name of ‘Ruk Ruk’. It requires eight hours of charging for around 80 to 100 km per hour. These e-rickshaws do not need any diesel, petrol, CNG or LPG. There is no emission of smoke or pollution from the e-rickshaw. There is no clutch or gear attached to it and the rickshaw puller, do not require a driving license. One e-rickshaw costs around Rs. 90,000 to 1 lakh (around 1800 USD)
E-Rickshaw: the advantages and concerns
- The body of the E-Rickshaws are made of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) and is considerably cheaper than the metal (Mild Steel) +plastic mixed body of conventional rickshaw. While FRP body provides a cost advantage there are certain concerns about the road worthiness of the same. In case of accidents the riders may be subjected to greater life risks
- E-Rickshaws are pollution free and green nature. It poses itself as a more than viable alternative to conventional rickshaws
- The maximum speed limit according to specification is about 25 KMPL whereas conventional rickshaws can attain the speed of 70 KMPL or more. But when you are in a city condition, especially in Asian cities, the concept of speed doesn’t matter too much.
- Low speed, makes it unviable to ply on the highway as it increases the probability of accidents. There is continuous demand to keep these vehicles out of the highway and allow only on sub-lanes
- Many E-Rickshaw drivers illegally use a higher capacity battery to enhance the speed up to 40 KMPL. That challenges the basic premises of not keeping E-Rickshaws under the motor-vehicle act.
- A majority of e-rickshaws are manufactured outside India and they are smuggled from there in various forms. Thus, the Government loses a good amount of customs related revenue.
