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| Fig. 1: Battery Powered Rickshaw. (Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
Battery-powered rickshaws, commonly referred to as electric rickshaws, represent an innovative evolution of traditional cycle rickshaws. These vehicles are equipped with a powerful electric motor and four lead-acid batteries positioned beneath the passenger seat. [1] Local workshops gradually began manufacturing e-rickshaws using locally produced batteries. [2] This development led to a significant increase in the number of e-rickshaws in Dhaka and other major regions of the country. Fig. 1 shows a type of battery-powered rickshaw.
Major components of the e-rickshaw are (1) electric motor, (2) battery pack, (3) controller, and (4) Electric throttle. [3]
The motor is powered by the battery. The e-rickshaw works on DC series motor, battery and suspension system which is contrasting with respect to the conventional auto rickshaws. The electrical battery charges on 12V. The commonly used battery is Lead-acid, which has a life of 12 to 24 months. [1] The controller receives power from a charged battery and oversees a complete system of automated equipment. It sends the necessary commands to the speedometer, motor, and various other parts. [3]
The electrical system of an autorickshaw comprises lead-acid batteries and a DC motor, which generally has a power output ranging from 1,000 W to 1,250 W. Each autorickshaw utilizes 4 to 6 lead-acid batteries, each with a voltage of 12 V. These batteries are arranged to deliver a total voltage between 48 V and 72 V, with a capacity of 140 Ah to 160 Ah. Initially, these batteries require about 8 hours for a full charge. However, after being in use for 8 to 12 months, the charging duration extends to approximately 10 to 12 hours. They can be charged at different commercial stations and also through household electrical connections. Typically, the batteries are charged overnight, starting at around 6 p.m., with all autorickshaws connected to the grid by 9 p.m. Each charging cycle consumes between 8 to 12 kWh of energy. [4]
According to a study, autorickshaws in Khulna, Jashore, and Satkhira use 205,040 kWh, 167,760 kWh, and 139,800 kWh of electricity per day, respectively. Overall, 394,762 autorickshaws in Bangladesh consume about 3,679.182 MWh daily. Reports indicate that around 500,000 autorickshaws operate nationwide, demanding 4,660 MWh each day. This poses a significant challenge as Bangladesh faces a power crisis. Peak demand is a major issue, causing power cuts from 5 PM to 11 PM due to the gap between demand and supply. New peaking power plants are built each year but often remain unused during off-peak hours, leading to inefficiencies and higher carbon emissions. The electricity consumption of electric autorickshaws during peak hours, between 3,679 MWh and 4,660 MWh, adds further strain to the power system. The rapid increase in electric autorickshaws worsens the power crisis, making immediate action necessary. [4]
Electric rickshaws are sparking a quiet revolution in the transport sector and have gained popularity among lower and middle-income groups, especially in areas with limited transport options. The affordability of fares has significantly contributed to the appeal of electric rickshaws, with typical trip costs ranging from tk 10 to tk 50. (At present US $1 = tk 120.4.) Owners and drivers report that the purchase price is around tk 50,000. In Dhaka city, the daily rental fee is tk 400, while it is tk 200 in rural regions, to be paid by the driver to the owner. The daily expenses for charging and parking amount to tk 100. After covering the daily rent of tk 200, drivers typically earn between tk 800 and tk 1,000 each day. It was observed that drivers work approximately 10 hours daily, completing about 40 trips with a total distance of around 100 km. In contrast, human-powered rickshaws are slower and pricier for passengers, providing daily earnings of tk 600 to tk 900. [5] The notable profitability associated with battery-operated auto-rickshaws helps explain their rapid expansion in urban areas of Bangladesh, presenting a promising opportunity for aspiring drivers and investors alike. [6]
Electric vehicles, like those produced by Tesla, are gaining popularity worldwide. However, in Bangladesh, a quieter revolution is taking place with the rise of electric rickshaws. These rickshaws provide convenient transportation and positively impact the economy, yet they operate without licenses and lack official recognition and regulatory oversight. Collaboration among authorities, manufacturers, owners, drivers, and electric utilities is crucial for the growth of electric rickshaws and to ensure their contribution to the country's development and innovation. [5]
© Fareen Mehnaz. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] R. S. Kumar et al., "Battery and Its Management for E-Rickshaw," in ICDSMLA 2020, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Data Science, Machine learning and Applications, ed. by A. Kumar, S. Senatore and V. K. Gunjan (Springer, 2021), p 1153.
[2] R. Gallagher, The Rickshaws of Bangladesh (University Press Ltd, 1992).
[3] B. Sethi et al., "Experimental Study on Electric-Rickshaw," Mater. Today Proc. 90, 234 (2023).
[4] Md. Al-Amin and Md. Sahabuddin, "High Penetration of Electric Autorickshaw on National Power System and Barriers Against the Adoption of Solar Energy: A Case Study in Bangladesh," Clean. Eng. Technol. 14, 100637 (2023).
[5] S. Khan et al., "The Million Improvised Electric Rickshaws in Bangladesh: Preliminary Survey and Analysis," IEEE 9795773, 2022 IEEE International IOT, Electronics and Mechatronics Conference, 1 Jun 22.
[6] S. R. F. Hossain, S. S. Roy, and S. K. Mitra "The Role of Battery Operated Auto-Rickshaw in the Transportation System of a City," J. Asian Veh. 11, 1635 (2013).
