With the cost of diesel and auto rickshaw rising steadily battery operated three wheelers will prove a game changer for the state capital. The battery operated auto rickshaw has come as a boon for the manual rickshaw pullers who can reap great dividends by making low investments. The eco friendly yet cost effective auto rickshaw is likely to improve living conditions of poor rickshaw pullers
Anjan Kumar Verma who is running battery operated rickshaw on Main Road said, “This vehicle is so silent that no one will know that it is arriving unless driver honks. Moreover, the cost of this vehicle is 1.15lakh which is half the cost of diesel auto rickshaw. The rickshaw runs 85km in just eight hours charge with no investment is it is giving good returns.” Another driver Vijay Kumar said, “My vehicle does not lose fuel as other rickshaws do at different traffic signals. Moreover, it cost me only Rs 30 per day to charge its battery and my daily income is ranging between Rs 2,000- Rs 2,500.”
The rickshaw has the capacity of boarding four to six passengers at a time. At present only three electric autos are ferrying passengers from Main Road Kutchery Chowk, and lalpur. looking at the interest of the passengers it is expected that the number will increase in near future. Recently, an authorised showroom for Battery operated autos called Shree Shyam Battery and carrier in line Tank Road was inaugurated. Geetaram Poddar, the proprietor of the showroom, said, “Almost 50 rickshaw pullers have come for the enquiry of these electric auto. We have booked at least five orders which will be delivered by the end of January.”
According to Poddar, the biggest reason behind rising demand for electric autos is that it does not require any road permit nor the drivers have to apply for driving license. District Transport Officer (DTO) Rajesh Kumar said, “Electric autos do not require licence or permit for plying on roads as it is not a machine based vehicle that runs with fuel. Anyone can purchase it and commute freely from one place to another.”