Solar electric rickshaws launched in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk

Soleckshaws or solar-electric rickshaws were launched in Dehi, on Oct 2, 2008, by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Initially, they will be offered to rickshaw -pullers in the Old Delhi area.

Since Delhi’s High Court banned cycle rickshaws, citing congestion, rickshaw pullers have been up in arms. We do not know how many of the former cycle rickshaw pullers are going to be allotted the new solar electric rickshaws.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the SOlar Electric rickshaw

It is a bit confusing though – how is replacing cycle rickshaws with solar electric rickshaws going to reduce congestion? Sure they don’t pollute – but the cycle rickshaws did not either. They are of the same size and shape as the cycle-rickshaws – so how is congestion going to be reduced?

They are more human-friendly for sure. Many thought that the antiquated cycle rickshaws were inhuman, and this solves that problem.

The Mark-I Soleckshaws (first version) have been developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The CSIR has said that the dual-powered Solecshaws have been developed to provide employment to the masses, and to reduce pollution in the city. Unlike any other vehicles, the Soleckshaws have no carbon footprint and does not use up limited fossil fuel.

The design and prototype of the Soleckshaws have been create by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI). The time taken to design and develop the Soleckshaws too eight months.

The solar electric rickshaw can seat two passengers, carry can a payload of 200 kg, excluding the driver. The Soleckshaw will be battery operated that will be charged by solar energy. The electric motor in the solar electric rickshaw is powered by a low power high torque brushless DC motor and will move the three wheels of the rickshaw. Pedalling is an option, if more speed is required.

The Soleckshaws will come with mobile recharging facilities and FM radio. They are priced at at Rs 7,000, at par with the older manual cyclerickshaws. They are of the same size and shape approximately as the pedal-powered rickshaws – so they will be able to navigate straight and uphills roads easily, without any strain of imbalance.

The Soleckshaws were launched at the Chandni Chowk metro station, in Old Delhi. A battery -re-charge station has been set up by the Central Electronics Limited (CEL) near the Chandni Chowk Metro station. The battery can run for 70 kms. The cost of recharging the battery is Rs 45. (US $ 1)

Rickshaw-pullers will be provided with an alternative battery for the time that his battery is being re-charged.

The Soleshaws will help rickshaw-pullers to make Rs 4000 a month with less physical stress.

The Chief Minister Sheila Diksit has said that she hopes that the private sector will show an interest in manufacturing Soleckshaws.

The pilot project will be spearheaded by the Centre for Rural Development (CRD). Dr Pradip Kumar Sarmah, CRD executive director, has been quoted as saying that “We are hoping to start using the four rickshaws launched today (October 1, 2008) between Red Fort and Old Delhi Railway Station and the charge will be Rs 15. This will be a pre-paid service.”

The advanced versions of the Soleckshaws, Mark-II and Mark-III will be ready in 2010, before the commonwealth games. The Mark-II and Mark-III Soleckshaws will have better speed, ergonomics, recumbent driving position, and aesthetics.