Lahore: Sazgar Engineering Works recently
announced its intention to introduce the country’s first locally produced
electric rickshaw service to the market soon — with a delay in the release of
the government’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy provided as the main reason for
the holdup, a news source reported.
The rickshaw has been wholly manufactured
and designed in Pakistan. The company indicated that as an alternative to a
petrol engine, this new e-rickshaw comes with an electric battery that is
monitored by a controller.
According to reports, the EcoRik Li-Ion
battery used by Sazgar comes with a capacity of 48V, 125Ah, and 6Kwh. The
battery will take five hours to charge and the rickshaw is expected to travel a
distance of up to 175 kilometres with passengers. A company’s official
stated that a regular rickshaw can also be converted to an electric vehicle, by
replacing its engine with an electric battery; along with the installation of a motor and
controller.
Reportedly, the electric rickshaw, aims to
produce zero emissions and will also be devoid of annual maintenance and fuel
costs like seen in regular rickshaws.
