The Hindu : Front Page : ‘Soleckshaw,’ a boon for rickshaw-pullers

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Monday, Jul 13, 2009
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‘Soleckshaw,’ a boon for rickshaw-pullers

Kolkata: Weary rickshaw-pullers will no longer have to toil to pedal the vehicle as scientists of the CSIR’s Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have developed a solar electric rickshaw.

The ‘Soleckshaw’ is a pollution-free, safe and economical solution to the woes of around 50 lakh rickshaw-pullers in the country.

“The goal is to develop an optimally designed, pedal-operated and motor-assisted, zero-carbon emission, urban transport vehicle,” Technology Review quotes Samir K. Brahmachari, Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), as saying.

The new pedicab with a seating capacity of 2-3 passengers and a payload of 150-200 kg, excluding the driver, will run at a speed of 15 km per hour. It’s speed can touch 40 km.

The new rickshaw is motor-assisted and, therefore, is likely to be driven easily both in the plains and on the hills.

“One of the main aims of the Soleckshaw is to reduce the effort required to pull a rickshaw. The 36v motor has been used to ‘assist’ the driver in pedalling. Even though it may not relieve him of pedalling, it will definitely make the task almost effortless for him,” says Project Adviser Gopal Sinha.

While the driver’s seat is adjustable and a suspension system ensures smooth ride, all the three wheels have brakes.

The new pedicab comes with features such as a head light, a tail lamp and indicators. A lower footboard provides easy access for children, senior citizens and the disabled.

The solar battery, weighing around 15 kg, is placed under the passenger’s seat. One battery takes 5-6 hours to charge using solar power. It can also be charged from a domestic 15 Amp power socket.

Scientists, however, say it will no longer remain a green vehicle if charged with electricity. Therefore, they want the battery to be charged only at solar charging stations.

The Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has built a solar charging station in Durgapur.

The Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) is working on improving the battery.

Two versions

The body of the Soleckshaw, with two versions — Mark I and Mark II — has also been customised to suit different terrains and purposes, with seven models currently on the road.

A functional prototype of Mark I version, developed and prototyped by the CMERI, was launched in Delhi in October 2008 for trial and test. The Mark II is being tested in Durgapur, Chandni Chowk in Delhi and Ghaziabad.

The Mark I version is available in two series — 1 and 2.

Series 2 is a slimmer and lighter version of Series 1, according to Amar Jyoti Banerjee, CMERI scientist and project leader (manufacturing).

Manufacturing cost

At present, a Soleckshaw costs between Rs.30,000 and Rs.35,000. The CMERI team is working on ways to reduce the manufacturing cost. When the vehicle is mass produced, the price is expected to come down to Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000.

The CSIR is working with the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, for large-scale implementation of the project. It has decided to allot 1,000 non-exclusive licences at a time so that there will be competition and the design can also be improved. — PTI

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