Rotary International added its seventh focus area as #SupportingTheEnvironment. Inspired by it Rotary Club of Ulwe Node, Rotary International District 3131 initiated a project of the launching of a Passenger Electric Rickshaw.
This is probably the FIRST such Electric Vehicle under the L5M category, duly approved by the Regional Transport Office to be launched by any Rotary Clubs in the South Asian region. As per the manufacturer Piaggio the running cost is less than 60% that of the present cost of gas/diesel.
The battery used is a Lithium-ion type and serves up to 100 km for speeds up to 50 kmph. The charging time is close to 4 hours.
As against the operating cost of gas/diesel at INR 5 per km, this E.V. has an operating cost of less than INR1. The vehicle would be used to ferry students to school with the objective of imparting knowledge on Environment-friendly friendly vehicles and how it helps in saving Carbon Emission.
Besides creating publicity it will also ferry fixed passengers to the upcoming Metro stations in order to sustain a business.
This initiative is likely to inspire other auto-rickshaw drivers to switch to clean fuel technologies. The Rotary Club of Ulwe Node as part of its continuing project plans to set up charging stations that will operate on Solar Energy for the batteries used in auto-rickshaw. If all goes well Panvel district can become the role model offering clean public 3-wheeler transport.
