ELECSHA: Practical Substitute for Cycle Rickshaws

Cycle Rickshaws are a mode of human-powered transport that’s being pulled by a runner in order for the passengers to be transported. Approximately cycle rickshaws are about a million in number that is operating around the roads of India. In some Indian cities, it is a major means of transportation which approximately carries about 3-4 billion passengers a year. It also helps more than 700,000 persons who work as a rickshaw puller.

It is a very environment-friendly means of transportation, but it’s not so practical due to it’s to slow-movement compared to other vehicles. The rickshaw puller has to work very hard while climbing even a slight slope. Its braking system is also very poor with only front brakes and it produces a catapult effect on a sudden break when going downhill at high speed. Most passengers also comment on the discomfort of its seating arrangement.

In addition to the mechanical discomforts brought by the cycle rickshaws, it also is very degrading for a human to pull the cycle rickshaw. But because of poverty, most laborers become rickshaw pullers and admit the unfavorable effect of their occupation to their health.

It is proven that cycle rickshaw manufacturers have no quality control so they don’t last a couple of year. In counter to the disadvantages, Indian authorities had banned the operation of cycle rickshaws on urban towns for prevention of bulky road traffic and also for passenger’s safety and comfort. They have designed and supported the following ways to solve their road traffic problems. These are: the improvement of pedal cycle rickshaw; support for the Motor assisted pedal cycle rickshaw; and the promotion of the use of completely battery driven rickshaw called ELECSHA.

Bring Back Rickshaws in City Streets

Politicians in India lately gathered at a United Nations conference in Bali. They negotiated over how to solve the growing air pollution caused by automobiles which later on can cause climate change. These politicians must have thought of the usefulness of the skylab and the rickshaw by this moment.

The skylab, a motorbike fitted with a horizontal board at back that can seat several passengers and the rickshaw a human-powered transport which uses a two-wheeled cart which have seats one or two persons (called the rickshaw wallahs locally). Both of these vehicles have the greatest potential and may invoke a big chance to battle against global warming if only they were allowed to stay on the crowded streets of the Indian capital.

One trouble with having the wallahs on city streets is that it can be ran off the road by fast motor vehicles. It is so usual in India, where traffic runs on the principle of survival of the biggest and the most able.

But even though some might think that the rickshaw shouldn't be on the road due to it can clog up, and mess the traffic, I guess Indian cities just wouldn't be the same without them. It is true that the Delhi authorities have banned them from Delhi's main roads as well as parts of the old city due to the reason of messed-up traffic. But they can be the only way of accessing narrow lanes and they can reduce the elevating amount of air pollution on the said city.

But the wallahs have their way to fight back. The NGO, Initiative for Transportation and Development Programs, has challenged the ban in the Delhi High Court demanding the authorities to provide a track for the cycle rickshaws on all main roads.

Hybrid Rickshaws

- An auto rickshaw is generally characterized by a tin/iron body resting on three small wheels, a small cabin for the driver in the front and seating for three in the rear.

- Hybrid vehicle is a vehicle which uses a mixture of power or fuel sources.

It is very noticeable nowadays, that owning a private vehicle in India is still reserved for the rich ones. That is why most of the population of India uses motorbikes and the auto rickshaws for mass transportation. But most of these vehicles are run by conventional engines which are powered by gasoline fuels. And inevitably more and more air pollution is accumulated everyday.

So in order to reduce air pollution, TVS Motor Company, Ltd. has developed the hybrid electric rickshaws. The concept was introduced at the 6th Auto India Expo in Delhi. It is now powered by 8 hp, hybrid driven, four stroke internal combustion engines which was developed by Solectria.

The new vehicle can reach a top speed of about 65 Km/h, which is a practical speed for crowded Indian cities. TVS has also made many improvements and made it suitable for frequent stops, extensive braking and occasional clear stretches of road.

It will be 20 per cent more fuel efficient and also have much lower emission levels. This would be perfect for reducing air pollution on the parts of the world which it is very common. So TVS Motors Co. deserves an appreciation for this very practical and environment friendly effort.

Auto Rickshaws in India

An auto rickshaw is a public utility vehicle that is one of the chief modes of transportation in India. It is a motorized version of the traditional rickshaw. This vehicle has a top speed of around 50 km/h (about 31 mph) and a cruising speed of around 35 km/h (22 mph). Auto rickshaws have been modified in India to carry more passengers and are called share autos.

Aside from buses, trains and taxis, Auto rickshaws play an important role of public transport in Mumbai. The older Auto rickshaws in India had a Lambretta designed engine but they've been phased out as it consumed too much petrol. But most cities in India have very high air and noise pollution caused by this transport vehicle, so as per the new ruling of the Mumbai High Court, all auto rickshaws use CNG as the fuel.

Major auto rickshaw manufacturers in India are Bajaj Auto, Piaggio Greaves, Force Motors (previously Bajaj Tempo), Atul Auto and Kerala Automobiles. The Bajaj auto rickshaw is mainly seen as a passenger taxi vehicle, painted bright yellow and black mostly seen in Mumbai. Auto rickshaws registered in Mumbai are not allowed travel beyond the municipal limits of Mumbai. A ride in an Indian city in an auto rickshaw, is actually is a joyful adventure.

In India, auto rickshaws have to install a taximeter according to laws in various parts of India. There is an initial charge at the beginning of a ride then the price normally increases in proportion to the distance.

Battery Powered Rickshaw

A rickshaw is an iron body resting on three small wheels, one in front and two on its rear. It also has a small cabin for the driver in the front and has seats usually for two persons in its rear.

Auto rickshaws are used in both rural and urban areas but it proved to be the main cause of both noise and air pollution. So the solution is to build a solar-powered, electric battery operated Rickshaws. It is called the ELECSHA.

Bluebird Electric Racing Ltd contributed a large part for funding the research and building of a lightweight solar powered rickshaw which has the ability to replace the millions of fossil and pedal rickshaws that operate throughout Asia.

Modernized rickshaws emit zero pollution. They are also easier to maneuver. Very economical and need no regular part replacements. Battery powered rickshaws seem most popular as the battery can be charged overnight whilst a solar powered rickshaw is known to travel 160 km on an overcast day. It’s definitely a very practical means of transportation.

Here are some basic features of an Elecsha: It can take two passengers at speeds of 35-40 km/hr; it can go to 60-70 km per battery charge; and it uses 40% less energy than petrol and diesel powered auto rickshaws.

They could override the use of the family car all over the world. It’s already been done in some small Asian cities. Prices are much more affordable than any car. Most battery operated rickshaws ranges from $7000, even less second-hand.

The Boons Of Battery-Powered Rickshaws

Emission improvement. This is Mahindra's, India’s number one utility vehicle producer, plan recently. Mahindra officials must have learned to use their mind’s vent visor that made them realize the pollution brought by vehicle emissions. Sometimes, it only takes awareness. Yes, an awareness that every entrepreneur, not only automakers, have shields to guard them from the lust for power and profit-making -- that is, conscience.

In Reuters last month, the company announced that it will be investing $24.5 million or one billion rupees to execute its plan.

According to Mahindra authorities, this is part of the company’s shared advocacy for eco-friendly vehicles production. Along with fuel-efficient Scorpio and Bolero, Mahindra will also launch a three-wheeled rickshaw that runs on battery.

However, as of press time, Mahindra has not released any specific details about when and how this plan will be accomplished.

In a research, it was revealed that one of the major causes of pollution in developing countries like India are transport vehicles particularly autorickshaws that run on petrol. As a solution, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) developed three new rickshaw types. That includes an improved pedal cycle rickshaw (IMPRA), a motor assisted pedal rickshaw (MAPRA) and lastly, an entirely battery driven rickshaw known as ELECSHA. These rickshaws were claimed to be environment-friendly, fuel-efficient and, most importantly, cost-effective.

Aside from the fact that electric rickshaws lessen air pollutants, they are also commended for reducing the rates of noise pollution in urban and rural areas. These qualities make them such excellent alternatives for motor-powered autorickshaws. In additon to environmental benefits, the masses can also take advantage of employments that the production of these autorickshaws can provide.

At present, there are about 700,000 rickshaw pullers in the Indian roads.

Solar-Powered Rickshaws Soon To Emerge In India And Other Asian Countries

An auto-rickshaw is one of the chief modes of transportation in India. Unlike the traditional rickshaw that is pulled by a driver to run, an auto-rickshaw is powered by a motor. However, records show that 2-stroke engines allow it to run at 15 to 20 kilometers per hour, plus its stop or start mode causes greater amounts of pollutants than vehicles with four-stroke engines.

For that reason, BlueBird Electric Racing Limited, a company that develops battery, motor, hybrid and other systems that intend to improve the range of conventional electric vehicles, is part funding the advancement of a solar-powered or electric rickshaw that is designed to serve as an alternative to auto-rickshaws not only in India but as well as in other Asian countries that utilize rickshaws such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Philippines. These non-polluting rickshaws can run up to 60 to 80 kilometers per charge with speeds ranging from 25 to 30 kilometers per hour. Each solar-powered rickshaw unit is claimed to save 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

As said by solarnavigator.net, aside from its improved appearance, this innovated rickshaw also has safety belts, an optional rain and cold screen, a lockable box under the seat that serves as storage for passengers’ belongings, a fold flat roof and adequate space and capacity to carry three adult passengers. With or without ignition coils, this rickshaw is sure to promote safety and environment preservation. How about some applause for that?

According to bluebird-electric.net, Bluebird Electric Racing Limited anticipates the demand for solar-powered rickshaws to arrive at 10,000 units per annum by 2010.

At present, India has an estimated 18 million petrol-powered two wheelers and about 1.5 million petrol and diesel three wheelers.