Hybrid auto rickshaw

For those familiar with Indian roads, the auto rickshaw is a ubiquitous element as it weaves and speeds dangerously through the traffic, spewing exhaust fumes generously. Many cities have emission norms but implementation is lax at times.

There is a competition to design the cleanest, cheapest and most practical upgrade kit for around 1 million auto rickshaws to save fuel and cut carbon emissions. Enviru, which is an environmental think tank in Rotterdam, now has announced the first winners.

Enviru, which is looking for funding to retrofit 1 million auto rickshaws in India, held a race in Rotterdam in May. Final judging will take place later this month in India.

The “Hybrid Auto-Rickshaw Battle,” as it was called saw university teams in Holland and India working to come up with a prototype for a cleaner rickshaw that reduces emissions and fuel use, and is also cheap to build.

Enviru has already researched the auto rickshaw situation together with experts in Bangalore and Hyderabad, which proved the project to be more than worthwhile. Their study revealed that a hybrid auto rickshaw can increase a driver’s income to at least 35%, due to the money they save on fuel. Furthermore, the overall impact of upgrading one million of these vehicles can reduce the CO2 emissions of each one by 40-60%.

If found successful, it can be replicated with the remaining autos.

Anyone know how much of carbon dioxide that would save?