EV shift: poor infra, high costs keep autorickshaw drivers worried
The Hindu
Delhi autorickshaw drivers apprehensive of shift to electric due to lack of charging stations and high maintenance costs.
As the Delhi government proposes to end registration of CNG-run autorickshaws from August 15 to curb pollution and move completely towards electric, several autorickshaws drivers are apprehensive of the shift looking at the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The EV Policy 2.0 draft recommends phasing out CNG-driven autorickshaws by ending new registration and retrofitting the fossil fuel-powered engine of more than 10-year-old three-wheelers with a battery-operated engine.
Ahmad, a 47-year-old auto driver, has been driving an e-autorickshaw for the past three years. He said despite the previous Aam Aadmi Party government and the present Bharatiya Janata Party-led dispensation’s push for EVs, the lack of adequate charging stations continues to affect the business of the day. “It takes three hours to recharge the auto’s battery at my house, and it gives 100 km backup. But a CNG auto can run over 200 km on a full tank,” Mr. Ahmad highlighted.
The time taken to recharge an e-autorickshaw battery varies from three to nine hours, depending on the battery capacity and charger type.
When asked why he is not using charging stations to recharge his auto’s battery, Mr. Ahmad pointed at the shortage and waiting time. “Recharging at home is convenient as it prevents waste of time during work hours,” he explained. However, what keeps him worried at night is his safety, as he fears a short circuit or fire.
A similar fear keeps Raj Prakash, a 35-year-old e-autorickshaw driver, half asleep at night while recharging his auto’s battery. He said his peers have narrated to him several incidents of battery explosions, but he has no choice as he loses business if he opts for daytime charging. “Night charging at charging stations can be thought of as an alternative if the government provides security to vehicles,” Mr. Prakash opined.
According to a Lok Sabha reply by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Delhi had 1,886 EV charging stations as of February 2024.
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