An e-rickshaw powered by solar energy was launched in Kochi on Tuesday, an initiative that could spur the other cities to emulate the pollution-free mode of transport using renewable energy.

Kochi-based Georgekutty Kariyanappally, the brain behind the innovation, told reporters here that excessive pollution in cities, especially by three-wheelers, motivated him to create a vehicle that would use renewable energy with no carbon emission.

Georgekutty has spent the past 16 years creating products such as solar-powered poultry incubator and cow milking machine. According to him, solar-powered rickshaws are the future of India, where there is abundance of bright sunlight all through the year.

Demonstrating the working of the e-rickshaw on the city roads, Georgekutty said

the rickshaws would help the working class, while providing pollution-free transportation. “The aim is to make public transport affordable to the working class,” he said.

In Kochi, the service will commence with 16 solar rickshaws. Georgekutty has received order for 100 solar rickshaws from  Thrissur-based Elite Foods. He plans to launch the rickshaws in all South Indian states, which lag behind the other states when when it comes to e-rickshaw.

The solar autorickshaw is priced at Rs 1.25 lakh.

Cover Photo – Melton Antony

SOURCEThe New Indian Express , Asianet
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