Being one of the most integral aspects of urban transportation, rickshaws bridge the gap between public and private choices of mobility. However, with development taking over the globe, the slower pace of these rikshaws seems to have started posing a threat to their existence which is what gave birth to E-rikshaws!
In the last decade, electric vehicles have also been seen as a solution to some of the most major pollution crises being faced on a global level. With E-rickshaws rising in popularity, this has not only been a strong step towards going green but, it has opened a world of opportunities towards effective green entrepreneurship to promote the same- This shift was also seen in supply chain management and disbursement.
In about 15-20% of any urban or metropolitan cities, commuters on an average rely on rickshaws to reach their destinations.
While buses and metros do offer a much larger proportion, their network connect major stops and not the precise destinations which is why, the last mile of connectivity bridging this gap is offered by the convenience of cabs, carts and rickshaws- A lot more inexpensive than taxi service of the cities, rickshaws play a huge role in allowing the luxury of personalized convenient transport.
These great ‘convenience- personified’ vehicles with three wheels known as rickshaws, have not only been used as a means of commute for the urban populace but also has been used for light weight cargo and logistics based on the needs of various parties as they are most versatile and can be modified very easily. Whether it is e-commerce platforms or vegetable vendors, at some point in the delivery chain, it’s a certainty that rickshaws would indeed be a part of this glorious transfer and exchange cycle.
Managing supply chains comes with its own share of challenges where long-term deliveries require various modifications such as refrigeration. Rickshaws on the other hand, due to their compact nature essentially bring down delivery time due to their compact nature, hence making it a perfect fit for both urban and semi-urban areas. With the endless amount of convenience that rickshaws present, how does one make this more efficient- go electric!
The automobile industry has seen an incredible boom in electric models since the last decade with the consumers becoming more and more energy conscious. A major step towards reducing the dependence of fossil fuels consumption as well as the sky rocketing energy rates, electric vehicles pave the way to a future. With a great deal of investment being undertaken in the direction, green energy variants of automobiles and transportation are expected to overtake their conventional counterparts within the next 25 years. Using electric rickshaws in the network of logistics is extremely apt given these scenarios.
While taking a step towards green emissions is an obvious promise of electric rickshaws, this presents a multipronged approach to stand against the odds posed by the use of various conventional modes of fuel.
Being able to cut down on the diesel and CNG needs, this would impact the pollution levels in the greatest of ways. This would also reduce the dependency on conventional fuels which generally pose an operating cost coming to a minimum of ₹4-5 per kilometre where as the electrical variants would merely amount to less than ₹1 per kilometre. In the long run, electric rickshaws would hence be a very cost effective to the owners of this vehicle. This all comes while being mindful of the non-renewable sources of energy which are depleting at an alarming rate.
Not just limited to the area of logistics, electric rickshaws for rent in urban settings are becoming more common. Available in multiple designs and models, they take a smarter approach to personal mobility offering a much spacious design incorporating the advanced technology of clean energy alternatives.
With the Government of India having recognized multiple challenges posed by the ever-increasing demand on traditional fuels, they have rolled out various initiatives and incentives to promote the manufacturing, supportive infrastructure as well as the adoption of electric vehicles including rickshaws. Inclusion and expansion of electric rickshaws in metropolitan cities would provide the much-needed encouragement for the public to opt for these novel energy efficient automobiles.
Both government and private stakeholders who are trying their best to promote and implement these programs have indeed been doing their homework in trying to design ways to achieve this. In addition to focusing on setting up charging stations, there are plans being drawn up to have the stations as close as 3-4 km in urban and metropolitan settings to ensure the presence of sufficient ports to allow the users to make the transition to electric vehicles an effortless endeavour.
It is safe to say that E-Rikshaws are the future of transport. Along with being a cheaper mode of travel and enhancing last mile connectivity (being easy to find at some metro stations and other high traffic corridors), they are non-polluting and environment friendly which is bound to be great for our country’s future.
On top of this, E-rikshaws are a great source of employment opportunities for the poor, who can’t afford to buy auto-rickshaws and busses.
Another fact that makes E-rickshaws worth the investment is that they are bound to open doorways to some great opportunities like Introduction of charging spots by government/vendors at various locations, introduction of e-rickshaw stands to make parking easier as well as providing first and last mile connectivity to a large section of the population to decrease the share of private vehicles on the roads.
They can also become the efface of equality by providing a good set of safety measures for female drivers and therefore, making travel safer for female passengers.
All of these fabulous changes can be brought in our country by taking just one simple step- Shifting to E-rickshaws- Are you ready for a brighter, safer and cleaner future? The decision lies in your hands!