Discover Solar Powered Transportation: Rickshaws
Posted by Lisa Carey
Solar power used for transportation in India; prototype solar powered transportation designs in London and improved working conditions that also leave no carbon footprint and lead the way to a transportation alternative to gas and diesel fueled vehicles.
You would imagine that a rickshaw, a “vehicle powered by man” would be one of the greenest forms of transportation. But eventually man met the motor and he stopped being the power behind the vehicle. Although there are still many who are the power behind these transportation vehicles, the majority throughout the world are motor powered. Even with motor powered, rickshaws are still more energy efficient than full sized automobiles who rely on fossil fuels. In India, the state run Center for Scientific and Industrial Research may have found a way to make rickshaws even more energy efficient, as well as provide a better and more comfortable source of transportation while using renewable solar energy, not to mention provide a safer working environment for those who still perform the back breaking work of powering their rickshaws themselves.
Rickshaws were first developed in Japan and the name comes from the Japanese expression, “ji riki shaw” which means “vehicle powered by man”. From there traders and missionaries introduced the concept of the rickshaw first into China, then India and throughout and all of Asia. India currently has an estimated eight million cycle rickshaws. Use of the man powered and/or motorized rickshaw is not limited to Asia, but other countries also use them such as: China Town in London, England, Central and South America, and Africa. They are used for anything from transporting people as well as goods throughout these countries. Motorized rickshaws have a top speed of about 31 mph and are designed to maneuver on tight, crowded roads with the front single wheel and wider rear seating.
In 1998 the Supreme Court of India ordered the Delhi government to implement a program using CNG (auto gas fuel) for all autos and bus fleets in and around the city, which did improve the air quality of a city where many people don’t leave their house unless they are wearing surgical masks to protect them from the smog and pollution that permeates that city. However, that was not enough. According to Discovery News, on the Discovery Channel online, India has once again tried to address the pollution and energy concerns that overwhelm their country by experimenting with solar powered rickshaws.
The “soleckshaw” is a rickshaw that runs on a 36 volt solar powered battery. It is currently under testing in the Chandni Chowk area of New Delhi. Renovations and improvements to the solar powered rickshaw also include: the elimination of the flimsy metal and wooden frames and the availability of FM radios and powerpoints for charging cell phones. It also now how a more stable framework and foam seats with springs that seat up to three people. Solar powered rickshaws currently have a top speed of 9.3 mph and a fully charged solar powered battery use will last for approximately 30-42 miles. Most importantly, these solar powered rickshaws have zero carbon footprint (for more information on carbon footprints read “Walk Like a Dinosaur: Carbon Footprints.”
Not only is the use of the solar powered rickshaw good for the environment, it also provides for safer and healthier working conditions for rickshaw drivers who would suffer chest pains, shortness of breath and other muscle and joint ailments. It also provides, in this country of caste systems, a means of being held in higher regard as you are not longer simply rickshaw pullers, but rickshaw drivers.
India may be leading the way with solar powered alternatives to rickshaws, but the London based company SolarLabs is also working on a Solar Rickshaw in response to the serious traffic and pollution problems. This solar powered rickshaw would be the first “human powered hybrid vehicle” combining pedal and energy from rooftop photovoltaics. According to SolarLab concept 75% of the power needed would be solar and it is estimated that their version of the solar rickshaw could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2 tons as well as having a zero carbon footprint.
Currently the use of solar powered rickshaws is limited to the experimental phase. However, as the city and government of India continues to see improvements in not only the working conditions of rickshaw pullers but the environment; India looks to a future where solar power could be used for more than rickshaws. This project may also pave the way for use of solar powered cars. Hopes are that an advanced version of the prototype currently under experimentation would offer solutions to creating a viable; energy efficient alternative to the “little car” currently used by many families in India, and eventually become competition for fossil fuel run cars.
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6 Responses to “Discover Solar Powered Transportation: Rickshaws”
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Anonymous says:
this looks pretty,cool,I have a friend that built something simular,his has three wheels,does 18 mph. an last about 2 hours without sunlight,with sun light he drives about six hours before the batteries lose enough charge to keep it moving.
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Dr.T.C.Chandran says:
It is really remarkable that a solar powered rickshaw is finally developed. My suggestions are that:
1. The Research Institute that developed it may also look into ways of reducing the weight of the battery powering the vehicle. A lighter battery will enhance the effciency of the system substantially.
2. Simple ways of introducing regenerative brakes may also be looked into.
3.Incorporating a design to recharge the battery during downward slopes may also be an added advantage.
Thanks!
Regards,
Dr.T.C.Chandran -
ramesh says:
plz send me more information about solar powered car that hw many watts of solar panel required for the speed of 10m/h and also some load calculations..
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Staci Bryant says:
I would like to know more about the solar powered rickshaws. Is there any updates on the product?
wonderfull , please send me more info about solar riksha
reg
shah