Authored by: Mitull Batraa, Co-founder and CEO of Udaan E- E-Vehicles
Emerging from the shadows of conventional commuting mediums, e-rickshaws are becoming
new epicentres of sustainable transportation and last-mile connectivity. Not
only their significance is becoming evident in offering emission-free mobility
but also in how they offer a cost-effective medium of transportation to the
masses across the globe. Here’s a close look into the transformative potential
of e-rickshaws and how these battery-driven mediums of mobility are changing
the very face of mobility.
E-rickshaw: Revolutionising Mobility
The need to offer sustainable and affordable transportation that also ensures
last-mile connectivity is paramount today. E-rickshaws meet all these
requirements and by offering greener, cost-effective, and last-mile commutes,
these are emerging as potent symbols of modern transportation systems. In
India, the E-rickshaw revolution started in Delhi and Kolkata and now has
spread to many states with stakeholders realising the immense potential that
these battery-driven vehicles offer to the masses. Around the world too, the
appeal of E-rickshaws is catching up with many global cities successfully
demonstrating their all-around utility to stakeholders.
E-rickshaws: Striking Characteristics
a) Greener Credentials: Counted among the most notable contributions
is the ability of E-rickshaws to offer emission-free transportation to the
masses. Unlike conventional mediums, E-rickshaws are driven by the battery with
no tailpipe emission associated with their operations. This zero-emission aspect is playing an
instrumental role in improving air quality, reducing pollution, and combating
the dangerously progressing climate change. Further, the drive-train
architecture of e-rickshaws has significantly fewer moving parts which helps in
containing losses and delivering more efficient drives than conventional means
of commuting.
b) Cost Dynamics: To offer mobility to 1.4 bn people in India
is no mean feat. The challenge becomes even more intense as policymakers need
to take into account the cost factor associated with transportation.
E-rickshaws are among the most affordable mediums of mass transportation and by
offering low-cost commutes, it has the potential to emerge as a game-changer
for the mobility scenario in the coming years. Whether you need to commute
short distances, tackle congested spots, or take intracity travel, an E-rickshaw
is your one-stop solution that offers a fast, reliable, and hassle-free commute
without burning a hole in your pocket.
c) Last-mile connectivity: Compact dimensions, easy manoeuvring, and
lightweight body help E-rickshaws offer last-mile connectivity to commuters.
Especially when it comes to congested roads, broken patches, and narrow
streets, E-rickshaws ensure commuters reach their desired place in minimum time
and botheration. While taxis and buses are important for intercity and
long-distance travel, they can’t match the prowess of E-rickshaws in ensuring
last-mile connectivity to commuters. From bust stands to metro stations and
shopping complexes, E-rickshaws today have become a popular commuting mode
capable of offering last-mile connectivity to the masses.
d) Economic Perspective: The E-rickshaw ecosystem has today become a
holistic one with stakeholders generating sizable and attractive opportunities
across the value chain. From components suppliers and manufacturers to owners,
operators, and service channels, a large number of people are employed and
earning their livelihood from the segment. Further, transactions in the
ecosystem are generating income for the government as well in the form of taxes
and duties levied on the industry. Moreover, the industry has also started
attracting investment as the growing demand for E-rickshaws is encouraging new
players to come into the segment with better products.
e) Ownership Cost: In comparison to other conventional
vehicles, E-rickshaws are economical to own, run, and maintain, thereby making
them an ideal proposition for starting the business with less investment. The
upfront cost of buying an E-rickshaw is somewhere between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs
2.8 lakh while any conventional autorickshaw costs in the range of Rs 2.5 lakh
to Rs 4.5 lakh. Further, the running and maintenance costs of E-rickshaws are
also significantly lower than gasoline auto rickshaws. In addition, subsidies
offered by the government under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid
and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme on E-rickshaws further enhance their
appeal on the ownership cost front.
With the E-rickshaw market in India poised to
reach $1,394.2 million by 2025, the time is opportune to further step up
efforts and make the category a shining example of success in the sustainable
mobility ecosystem. E-rickshaws offer a plethora of benefits such as
sustainable mobility, cost-effective commutes, and last-mile connectivity and
this coupled with their positive impact on entrepreneurship, economy, and
employment make them a catalyst of change for society.
