What are e-rickshaws?
E-rickshaws or Tuk-Tuks or Totos are battery operated 3 wheelers built to compete with conventional fuel powered auto-rickshaws and to take their place. These low-priced and durable passenger vehicles have stirred a revolution in India’s green movement by running on a cleaner fuel – electricity.
Why are e-rickshaws gaining popularity?
E-rickshaws in India are gaining popularity. It’s due to very low cost of maintenance as compared to a conventional petrol/CNG/bio-fuel run auto; a more comfortable ride due to low heat, noise and vibrations. The e-rickshaws are also more comfortable to get in and out of due to the revised taller structures and wider entrances. Conventional autos are a prime contributor to pollution problem and the e-rickshaws are being seen as a viable solution to decrease the levels of pollution.
The Government is also actively supporting electric vehicles with the Jharkhand and Bihar government passing Municipal Bylaws and State Laws, legalizing these vehicles and allowing for their registration for a mere Rs.100, so that people can easily earn a livelihood.
Why are e-rickshaws more popular in metropolitan cities?
With growth and development in metros, there is a considerable increase in population in these areas. The need for public transport has resulted in a massive surge in the number of vehicles in these densely populated areas, making them severely clogged with smoke and other pollutants. These places have become a hotbed for worsened air quality and the authorities and the masses have started shifting to an alternate cleaner means of transportation. Electric buses and two-wheelers are finding markets in these areas and now there is an increase in demand for already available e-rickshaws.
The Jharkhand Government has announced to roll out 2000 iCAT approved e-rickshaws in the state to encourage the shift to a cleaner and greener means of transportation. The Bihar Government has started an initiative aimed at providing subsidies and grants of up to Rs. 1 lakh to buy e-rickshaws. This massive support garnered by electric vehicles from the government ensures that green means of transport is the future.
To end with, to shift to a cleaner, greener and smoke free environment, we will have to change our dependence on means of transportation that requires combustion of fuels. By switching to e-rickshaws, we can ensure that we decrease the smoke, noise and pollutants introduced into the air that we breathe and decrease pollution in a considerable way!
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