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Rickshaws dominate Indian cities and are mostly powered by fossil fuels. But new electric rickshaws are growing in popularity. 1.8 million are registered across India, and because of government targets and subsidies that number is set to grow.
For now the market is divided between small domestic manufacturers, but Hyundai has spotted an opportunity.
Teaming up with an Indian motorbike firm, the world’s third largest car-maker has designed e-rickshaws built with India in mind, with tight turning circles for narrow streets, and a “height-adjustable chassis” to help riders in the monsoon season.
It’s clear traditional electric cars don’t work everywhere. They’re big, heavy and expensive. The smaller vehicles are, the lighter they are, allowing smaller batteries to go further.
As always, charging infrastructure matters, but it’s a lot quicker to charge e-rickshaws than electric cars.
