Friday, February 14, 2014: In a move to help the ecologically sensitive islands of Sundarbans, TERI and Paris-based Mlinda Foundation are developing a fresh solar transport model. The delta faces high noise and air pollution mainly caused by motorised vans called the ‘Jugaad’;
Under the new solar transport project, The Energy and Resources Institute would roll out 50 solar vehicles made by the Tata Motors and two solar PV based charging stations in the Sundarbans. With the consent from the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), the move is likely to bring environment relief in the region.
The first 50 solar vehicles will soon be launched in Patharpratima block of the Sundarbans region.
In a PTI report, TERI’s Parimita Mohanty said that this electric rickshaw can accommodate up to eight people. The vehicle will have 20 Ah battery that can run for 40-50 kms in a day. The charging station will work like a petrol pump and its 500W solar module would charge the rickshaws.
After the project will be demonstrated in the first phase, TERI plans to interest social entrepreneurs to scale up the model in the Sundarbans. The costing of the solar rickshaw is likely to be Rs 400,000 to 500,000 and the charging station will cost around Rs 100,000.
‘Jugaad’ is locally called ‘Vano’ in the Sundarbans. This motorised rickshaw van is by far the only mode of public transport available for the 4million population.
The Vano is powered by a diesel engine that uses an adulterated mixture of fuels like diesel, kerosene, naphtha and used engine oil.
