The Ernakulam Autorickshaw Drivers Cooperative Society has drawn up plans to increase the number of e-autorickshaws in the city to 1,000 based on overall feedback on the fleet of 18 such vehicles operating from Kochi metro stations.
The three-month trial period for the 18 e-autorickshaws from the stable of Kinetic Green will end in May. “We are keen to have more such vehicles as they have sound patronage. There are many players in the fray, including Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL), a State-owned firm based in Thiruvananthapuram which manufactures e-autorickshaws,” said M.B. Syamandha Bhadran, president of the society.
Drivers are happy with the patronage for autorickshaws. All that they have to pay the manufacturer is ₹100 per day for the first month (February), ₹150 for the second month and ₹200 for the third, during the trial period. A review will be done before placing orders for the next lot of vehicles. There is a marked preference for e-autorickshaws since the Centre has fixed 2030 as the deadline for all public transport vehicles to become e-vehicles since they are non-polluting, Mr. Bhadran added.
Aimed at encouraging e-autorickshaws to operate feeder services from metro stations, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has provided multiple charging points at major stations.
There is a difference between e-rickshaws and e-autorickshaws, said an expert in the field who was associated with the initiative to procure them in Kochi. “The former, which is operating now, has 25 km as the speed limit but can carry four passengers. E-autorickshaws, on the other hand, can commute at higher speeds, are more powerful, and can travel more distance after recharge. Both types do not cause air or sound pollution and are more comfortable than their diesel counterparts,” he said.
The minimum fare for the present fleet, which also operates as share autos, is ₹10 per person for 2 km. They are easier on the purse to maintain since there is no expense on fuel, with KMRL providing free charging at six metro stations.
