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ß Introduction about rickshaw
ß Salient features
ß Idea of CSIR
ß Cost to consumers
ß Comparison
ß Talking about its safety
ß Various designs
ß Negative aspects
ß Conclusion
 r




ß Now after over 100 years of the rickshaw era, scientists at Council
of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi have
found a pollution-free solution to end the bane of this large
populace by developing solar electric rickshaw, named as
Soleckshaw.
ß Though auto rickshaws, vehicles driven on fossil fuel, are also an
economical means of transport and are used by millions of
commuters, Soleckshaw with its zero carbon footprint promises
cleaner environment, providing quality of life for rickshaw-pullers
without any reliance on fuel.
ß It is a rickshaw that is driven partly by pedal and partly by electric
power supplied by a battery that is charged from solar energy.
ß The initiative has come as a small step towards improving life of
800 million people who are living below the poverty line, including
5 million rickshaw-pullers.
 


ß The µSoleckshaw¶ is a pollution-free, safe and economical

solution to the woes of around 50 lakh rickshaw-pullers in the
country.
ß Its worldwide use would also enhance energy security by
reducing the world¶s dependence on limited fossil fuel.
ß These solar powered rickshaws are expected to serve as a carbon
free alternative to manual rickshaws. Currently, the only upgrade
from manual rickshaws is the auto rickshaw which runs on fossil
fuels and is not eco friendly.
 

ß 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.
ß The new rickshaw is motor-assisted and, therefore, is likely to be
driven easily both in the plains and on the hills.
ß While the driver¶s seat is adjustable and a suspension system
ensures smooth ride, all the three wheels have brakes.
ß The new pedicabs 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.
ß 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.
ß The battery to be charged only at solar charging stations.
 


ß The Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has built a solar charging

station in Durgapur.
ß The Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) is
working on improving the battery.
ß A solar powered pollution free vehicle which can replace petrol
and diesel-powered three wheelers for down-town transportation.
ß Soleckshaw will be capable of running at around 12 ±15 kmph in
the down town area of our cities. (which is the speed at which other
vehicles also ply in those areas)
ß As a value added service the battery can charge mobile phones and
play an FM radio.
 2  

Idea by CSIR

ß Soleckshaw has been developed by a team of scientists at CSIR

national laboratory, Central Mechanical and Engineering Research
Institute (CMERI) in Durgapur, West Bengal.
ß The CMERI team has designed it to be a stable and safe vehicle
which can be driven economically.
ß The specifically designed robust low power high torque brushless
DC motor has been developed for the first time in India by the
Crompton Greaves based on the specifications provided by
CMERI.
 '
-  .
/0

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

ß Series 2 is a slimmer and lighter version of Series 1, according to
Amar Jyoti Banerjee, CMERI scientist and project leader
(manufacturing).
ß The accompanying solar charging station for swapping the batteries
has been set up by the Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a Govt.
of India undertaking.
ß The body of the Soleckshaw, with two versions ² Mark I and
Mark II ² has also been customized to suit different terrains and
purposes, with seven models currently on the road.
ß A functional prototype of Mark I version, developed and prototyped
by the CMERI in a record time of eight months was launched in
Delhi in October 2008 for trial and test.
ß The Mark II is being tested in Durgapur, Chandni Chowk in Delhi
and Ghaziabad
  . // 

ß 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.
ß 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 licenses at a time so that there
will be competition and the design can also be improved. ² PTI .
ß The CSIR has so far given license for manufacture of Soleckshaw
to small scale units and the duty concessions would make it
possible to rope in medium and large scale industry.
ß CSIR has transferred the technology to three companies ±
U Modular Machines, Faridabad;
U HBL Power Systems Limited,
U Hyderabad; and DEAN Systems, Kolkata - for mass production.
ß
Being dubbed as environment-friendly means of transport, the
CSIR plans to introduce at least 1,000 such pedicabs to ferry
athletes to short distances during the upcoming Commonwealth
Games.
ß
The advanced versions of Soleckshaw Mark II and Mark III with
better aesthetics, ergonomics, speed and recumbent driving
position is expected to be ready for launch during the
Commonwealth Games in 2010.
    
 /0

1*
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!2
ß Saves limited fuel. ß Petrol consumption by a three
wheeler per
ß Dual Drive: Manual & Solar day=10litres(approx.)
Power Assisted
ß Single drive.
ß Speed matching any vehicle in
downtown ß Higher foot board.
ß Lower foot board ß No energy savings.
ß Energy Save using Regenerative ß It increases the pollution.
breaks is=20%
ß Low Noise also a pollution free.
 !12
4*'
5

ß The pedicabs is motor-assisted and therefore is likely to be driven

easily both on plain area as well as uphill, without any risk of
imbalance which currently all rickshaws suffer from.
ß Only the novel sub-assemblies like the differential drive, the
special hub motor with regenerative feature and the light weight
solar panel need to be manufactured apart from the chasis designed
for comfortable ride even for the senior citizens and physically
challenged.
ß For increased safety of both the driver and the passengers, all the
three wheels have the braking system
ß Several R&D projects are slated to be launched in the areas of
storage batteries, charge and speed controller, solar photovoltaic
and hybrid transmission, in a network mode to make the future
Soleckshaw, an engineering marvel.
 . 

     5

ß The batteries are charged at charging stations which are solar

powered. That is the only solar connection these rickshaws have. It
doesn¶t yet have a solar panel on top it which could recharge the
battery.
ß A 1m X 1.5 m panel can produce 300 W of power enough to
power Soleckshaw which needs 240 W. There are plans from
CSIR to accommodate this in the future versions of Soleckshaw.

/0
 
   .  

U   /  The cost is at least 2.5 times more than the
traditional rickshaws and without government subsidies and
microfinance support it cannot gain acceptance.
U Currently the cost of setting up one solar station is around Rs
10 lakh. And want to set up one station within 3-5 km radius
in every location by Commonwealth Games 2010.
U The cost of charging a battery is Rs 45 at present (which will
work for 30±35 km).
U   / The batteries can last till 50 kms or for 6-8
hours and require a full day of charging.
U The charging stations are few and far between limiting the
mass adoption. Text big problem is the maintenance.
U The batteries which have to be exchanged every day could
cost quite a bit..
.
  6

U      This by far is the biggest obstacle for

Soleckshaw.
U The charging station would cost quite a bit and very few
establishments can set these up.
U Central Electronics Limited (CEL) and INSILICA, Calcutta
are the only organizations ready to set up solar charging
stations. Without private sector involvement this could be even
bigger problem.

  .
/0

ß The Soleckshaws were launched at the Chandni Chowk metro

station, in Old Delhi.
ß A battery -re-charge station has been set up by the Central
Electronics Limited (CEL) near the Chandni Chowk Metro station.
The battery can run for 70 kms. The cost of recharging the battery
is Rs 45. (US $ 1)
ß Rickshaw-pullers will be provided with an alternative battery for
the time that his battery is being re-charged.
ß The Soleckshaws will help rickshaw-pullers to make Rs 4000 a
month with less physical stress.
ß Most of the rickshaw pullers drafted for the pilot have returned the
rickshaws because of these technical and financial difficulties. The
success of such innovations largely depends on how well these
issues are addressed. Until then the government have to limit
the use of these vehicles for India post deliveries and
commonwealth games.
[
) 7 $  Union Minister of State for
Communication and Information Technology (IT)
Sachin Pilot launched an environment-friendly postal
delivery vehicle µSoleckshaw¶ in the national capital
on Friday.

/0
    --/

V India post is piloting Soleckshaw as a delivery vehicle for postal

parcels in a city of Rajasthan
V This is a very good effort by the Indian Government to modernize
the Postal department which will help in delivering of the posts
pretty fast.
V This is expected to improve speed and efficiency of postal
delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other
value-added products in rural areas and provide charging facilities
for mobile phones in remote areas etc.
V In association with Kinetic Motors the original was redesigned as
a light delivery vehicle for India post.
  / 

U Its really the new technological discovery of solar panel used easy
operating rickshaw in India.

U It will develop a new achievement of vehicles manufacturing sector

for the poorer¶s survival.

U This effort would give special status to the country for its aim of
reducing carbon intensity even during a mega sporting event and
popularize the vehicle among the masses, who may adopt it quickly
in several cities