Belagavi's e-rickshaw promises less pollution
The e-rickshaw is attracting passengers with its looks and smooth sound.Many are hiring the vehicle out of curiosity, just for a spin around the city.
BELAGAVI: The first eco-friendly electric auto rickshaw (e-rickshaw) made its debut in Belagavi city at a time when friction between the public and traditional auto drivers is raging over mandatory implementation of auto meters and charging fares according to meter reading.
The e-rickshaw is attracting passengers with its looks and smooth sound. Many are hiring the vehicle out of curiosity, just for a spin around the city. Four people can sit comfortably in the vehicle which has a spacious seat.
Vijay Vastrad, owner of the e-rickshaw, said the vehicle runs at a speed of 30-40km per hour. It can ply for nearly 80km after being charged for three hours, he said.
The company behind the e-rickshaw is e-Motion. With the e-rickshaw attracting passengers, more people appear eager to buy environment-friendly vehicles which are noiseless and don't emit carbon. According to Vastrad, on-road cost of the vehicle is Rs 1.60 lakh while there is a subsidy of Rs 60,000 if the vehicle is bought under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan.
Vastrad plans to install solar panels atop the e-rickshaw with the subsidy given by the government, and run the vehicle on solar power in the coming days. A native of Belagavi city, Vastrad worked as an auto driver for over 18 years in Bengaluru and returned to his hometown to take care of his aged parents. As part of social service, Vastrad doesn't demands rental from the poor and the old.
The district administration has failed to implement meter fare in auto rickshaws for the past several years, despite pressure from the public. Now, the e-rickshaw has created fear among traditional auto drivers about losing jobs to the competition, as the vehicle is cost-effective as well as eco-friendly.
BELAGAVI: The first eco-friendly electric auto rickshaw (e-rickshaw) made its debut in Belagavi city at a time when friction between the public and traditional auto drivers is raging over mandatory implementation of auto meters and charging fares according to meter reading.
The e-rickshaw is attracting passengers with its looks and smooth sound. Many are hiring the vehicle out of curiosity, just for a spin around the city. Four people can sit comfortably in the vehicle which has a spacious seat.
Vijay Vastrad, owner of the e-rickshaw, said the vehicle runs at a speed of 30-40km per hour. It can ply for nearly 80km after being charged for three hours, he said.
The company behind the e-rickshaw is e-Motion. With the e-rickshaw attracting passengers, more people appear eager to buy environment-friendly vehicles which are noiseless and don't emit carbon. According to Vastrad, on-road cost of the vehicle is Rs 1.60 lakh while there is a subsidy of Rs 60,000 if the vehicle is bought under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan.
Vastrad plans to install solar panels atop the e-rickshaw with the subsidy given by the government, and run the vehicle on solar power in the coming days. A native of Belagavi city, Vastrad worked as an auto driver for over 18 years in Bengaluru and returned to his hometown to take care of his aged parents. As part of social service, Vastrad doesn't demands rental from the poor and the old.
The district administration has failed to implement meter fare in auto rickshaws for the past several years, despite pressure from the public. Now, the e-rickshaw has created fear among traditional auto drivers about losing jobs to the competition, as the vehicle is cost-effective as well as eco-friendly.
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