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Solar rickshaws glide to the rescue of fume-choked Kochi

  • Running cost is as low as 25 paise/km
  • A single journey will cost only ₹10
  • The company is also planning to provide customised vehicle for customers
Solar autorickshaws Kochi

The battery operated auto rickshaws come as a breath of fresh air for Kochi which is choking from excessive pollution from conventional vehicles. Solar powered auto rickshaws have already marked their presence in other Indian cities like Allahabad, Bengaluru, Ludhiana, Mumbai, New Delhi, etc. However, it took months for Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) in Kerala to give legal approval for the five-seater rickshaw. 
 

George Kutty Kariyanappilly, the brain behind the innovation said the pollution caused by conventional vehicles made him think about an alternative, a vehicle with no carbon emission. "I have been witness to vehicle pollution in Kochi and how people suffer from this," he said. 
 

An ardent advocate of renewable energy, especially solar power, Kariyanappilly has spent almost 16 years making various equipment like solar cow milking machine, solar poultry incubator, etc. He develops solar rickshaws not only to beat the pollution but to help working class find a cheaper vehicle. "The rickshaw costs as low as ₹1, 25,000 and another ₹15, 000 to fit solar panel while traditional vehicle costs between ₹200, 000 and ₹250, 000. The price is affordable, and the running cost is only 25 paise per kilometre," Kariyanappilly said. 
 

As the solar panels are placed on the top, the rickshaw can be charged throughout the day. The power generated is transferred to a battery from which vehicle draws power to move. "Facility to recharge batteries are arranged in various places in the city. It takes hardly 5 to 10 minutes to replace the battery, Kariyanappilly said. 
 

Though the vehicle was introduced in August MVD, it failed to get the permission from MVD. "Drivers of solar powered auto rickshaws do not need the badge. As the maintenance is very low these vehicles need not be produced at RTO office every year to get fitness certificate," Motor Vehicle Inspector Noufal said. 
 

Lifeway Solar Devices, a company based in Kochi, will introduce the vehicle in Kerala. It can run at a maximum of 25 km per hour. "As many as 120, 000 solar auto rickshaws are plying on the roads of Delhi. In the beginning people without driving licence used to drive this. Later, the government recognised the vehicle, and now electric rickshaws have number plates and are legal," Dony George, Lifeway Solar Devices said. 
 

The auto rickshaw is expected to reduce the travel woes of people as a single journey will cost as less as ₹10. The company is also planning to provide customised rickshaws as per the requirements of buyers. 
 

 

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