Kochi businessman to roll out e-autorickshaw

KOCHI: An e-autorickshaw is being rolled out from Kochi, by an entrepreneur who has been launching gadgets powered by solar energy for the past 16 years. Georgekutty Kariyanappally, who runs the firm Lifeway Solar and innovated with solar poultry incubator, solar cow milking machine, has come out with his solar e-rickshaw. “My inspiration came from the urgency to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Living in Kochi city I am seeing and suffering from the pollution in the air,” says Georgekutty about this attempt.

“I had discussion with many Kocchi autorickshaw drivers and found that they were hiring an auto for 12 hours @ rate of Rs 250 from auto owners. Again Rs 250 for diesel has to be spent to run approximate 80 to 100 km a day. And per km they are charging from passengers Rs 10. So after spending Rs 500, they save Rs 500 for their family. The solar rickshaw is being offered for Rs 1,25,000 where they save on fuel,” he elaborates.

“If government offered subsidy and banks lower interest rates on loan, it would be an ideal proposition where drivers have the proposition to double the income sans pollution,” Mr Georgekutty says. He tied up with a vehicle design and manufacturing company in North India to design the rickshaw.