Electric rickshaws had taken to the road back in 2011, and their number has been increasing each day. More and more individuals are taking up an electric rickshaw business and so are manufacturers.
Electric rickshaws come with an ease of driving, are extremely profitable and very easy on the environment. With electric rickshaws comes a decrease in the cost and maintenance. All because it is battery operated.
But how does one go about deciding which battery to choose? Or what to look for in a battery?
Since the electric rickshaw flourishment in early 2011s, there has not been a lack of manufacturers in the nation. An abundance of manufacturers have taken up the manufacturing of electric rickshaws and their components, and are expanding their business overtime because of the increasing demand.
This blog will tell you what you should look for in a battery before you make the plunge.
Battery life: It’s a no brainer that battery life is the most essential component of an electric rickshaw, but not all batteries are made for you. The batteries of electrical vehicles generally last you about 6-12 months. Most of the electric vehicle batteries are lead acid batteries, but very few of them are deep discharge batteries. Deep discharge batteries come in their own, different types, lasting from four to eight years. Deep discharge batteries work by using the most of its capacity while discharging energy as opposed to standard lead acid batteries that discharge energy in short, sudden bursts, not using their energy to the fullest capacity.
Build of batteries: Like said above, all electric vehicle batteries use lead acid batteries. They only vary according to their capacity of discharge. But is that all that matters? Even if you bought a deep discharge battery promising a life of 8 years, how can you be sure of it? Without knowing the build - everything that went into manufacturing the battery, its life cycle or durability cannot be set in stone. It is paramount that you talk to someone who is incharge, and ensure that it is a hundred percent safe, and if the batteries have been properly tested.
Maintenance: Maintenance of anything can be a tedious job. Especially if you have invested a huge sum on it, and it demands constant maintenance. Running an electric rickshaw business is not all that easy either, and as a potential electric rickshaw business owner, you do not have all the time in the world to keep yourself busy with repairs and maintenance. When looking for batteries, looking for such batteries that have lower maintenance is beneficial, coupled with easy availability of repair and maintenance, Buying a high maintenance battery with easily available repair and maintenance is just running for a loss.
Charging stations: The rise in electric rickshaws on the road calls for an increase in the charging stations in the nation. Unfortunately, there are not as many charging stations and petrol/diesel pumps in India. Before investing in an electric rickshaw, you would want to ensure that there are enough charging stations for you to charge your batteries.
Solar Panels: Solar panels are a great way of charging batteries, considering that your battery supports charge by solar power. It is an ideal plan if most of your business takes place during the day. But if most of your business takes place during the night, solar panels are really not the ideal fit. You could still invest in a solar power charge supporting battery, for the feasibility of running your any time of the day or night. But this also incurs expensive costs of EV panels and battery sets and also increases the depreciation in the long run. Weighing the pros and cons of both kinds of batteries, and then deciding which one would suit your business the best is beneficial.
Battery Costs: Cost is very evidently the most important factor. It is important to note that as the price of the batteries increases, so does its rate of depreciation, and in turn resulting in higher maintenance costs. There are also batteries specifically made for electric vehicles that use other chemicals apart from lead acid, but their costs are 5 times the price of lead acid batteries, and do not provide a great life cycle.
Starting an electric rickshaw business can be very challenging - there are numerous factors you will have to consider before diving into one of the most profitable forms of business. Ensuring you have done your part of the research will help you make the right decisions for a better tomorrow, not just for you but for the nation.
Syndicate Motors is a manufacturer of electric vehicles that combat environmental issues and economic issues in India.
Join us in our fight for a sustainable environment as well as a cleaner and greener India.