Even as the debate on battery operated e-rickshaws rages, the transport department is planning to launch battery-operated three-wheeler scooter rickshaws. These TSRs, much like the existing autorickshaws, will have space for three passengers with a driver in the front. However, unlike the CNG version, the TSR will be run by a battery.
Transport commissioner Gyanesh Bharti said, “Manufacturers have come forward with battery-operated versions of the autorickshaw. Delhi government is looking into granting them type approval after examining the vehicles.” These TSRs, said Bharti, have the advantage of being cheaper than autorickshaws, and being more environment-friendly.
Unlike e-rickshaws, however, the TSR will be allowed to run on roads only after grant of permit by the transport department as well as issue of public service vehicle (PSV) badges and a commercial driver’s licence to the driver.
One of the manufacturers, Harish Khurana, said that the application for type approval has already been submitted to the Delhi government. The vehicle, which will run on a 1,000W battery, will otherwise operate like any other gear-driven vehicle. “The I-CAT approval for the vehicle has been obtained. I am now waiting to get the approval for the battery,” said Khurana.
Incidentally, Khurana also has an e-rickshaw business, which he claims to have launched in 2007. “I am hoping that the approvals will come through by Diwali,” said the manufacturer. Besides Khurana, sources said that a few more manufacturers have also expressed interest in getting type approval.
Officials in the department, meanwhile, are hoping that the option will be utilized by the autorickshaw drivers.
“Since the prices are lower, we are hoping that people will be interested. It will also be cheaper to run than the CNG vehicles,” added the official.
Permits meanwhile, are expected to come through soon. The department says that its waiting for approval from the court to issue more permits. Till now, more than 50,000 permits have already been issued. The permits which will become available, once the older autorickshaws are phased out, will also be used for these battery operated
TSRs.
It’s not the first time that the transport department has introduced newer vehicle options for the TSR permits. Some months ago, the transport department had given approval to the Tata Magic IRIS vehicle as a TSR.
The vehicle, which is a four-seater vehicle, has an all-steel body with a hard top and steel doors, thus making it a safer vehicle. The four-wheel vehicle was given the go-ahead, said officials, as it has seat belts for the driver and passengers. However, autorickshaw unions had protested the introduction of the new vehicles.
