E-rickshaws are 3-wheeler motorcycle-bicycle-based vehicles that run on electrified lead-acid batteries. With their potential of no emission these rickshaws are becoming the main source of public transportation in several Asian countries. Thus, not just the US but electric rickshaws are taking over the world.
In India, about half of rickshaw sales were of electric rickshaws in the past year. But in the United States electric vehicles may be the new popular but still these vehicles make up only a small percentage of new vehicle sales.
In contrast, other countries are witnessing huge growth in EV sales at the same time. Here is the catch as they are not actually cars but rickshaws (a bicycle-motorcycle-based 3-wheeler). These are the most popular modes of public transportation in several Asian countries.
As per the Atlantic Reports, over the last several years, electric rickshaws have taken over the streets exponentially. However, with a focus on environmentally friendly vehicles, neither the government nor automakers pushed the idea of electric rickshaws. Despite that they are thriving, which is an interesting fact in itself.
It all started around 15 years ago when prices of lead-acid batteries dropped, and rickshaws started looking for a way to electrify them. This led to the emergence of a number of enterprising independent shops which began importing auto parts from China to make their own electric rickshaws. The main idea behind this initiative was to make and sell inexpensive rickshaws.
Eventually, the idea grabbed the attention of automakers that then began offering their own versions. Mahindra e-Alfa with 2 hp and a cost less than $1,800 is also included in the range of electric passenger rickshaws.
Also Read: New EV Tax Credit Rules by Joe Biden Leave US Car Makers in the Dark
Rise of electric rickshaw is a big deal in countries like India where air pollution has been a major problem for several years. And a study found that an electric rickshaw cuts between 3 and 6 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. This ratio is roughly the same as the car emits annually in the United States.
The reason behind this ratio comparison is that even though e-rickshaws are more fuel-efficient in comparison to a mid-sized family sedan they are driven all day long instead of being parked for most of the time.
Thus, to clean the air a switch to e-rickshaw has a serious potential that makes a huge impact in the long run. This is why it is said that not just the US but electric rickshaws are taking over the world.
Source: The Atlantic
