UK helps India revisit solar-powered rickshaws

The London-based Commonwealth Business Council is putting the spotlight on a project last year to use solar-powered rickshaws to reduce carbon emissions.

The CBC works with governments and private businesses to promote international trade, especially related to technology. The group announced plans yesterday to commercialize affordable cleantech solutions for city and rural living in India.

The new incubation hub for energy-saving technologies was jointly established by the Indian government, the CBC, the Indian Institute of Management at Ahmedabad, the UK's Carbon Trust and BP's Alternative Energy Group.

One immediate goal was to help commercialize the solar-powered rickshaw.

In October, India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research launched the solar-powered, electric rickshaw, dubbed the soleckshaw (see Drivers wanted). Officials said they planned to work to bring the cost down to make the technology affordable.

See the soleckshaw here>>

The public-private partnership in Delhi funded a central solar panel in the Chandani Chowk Metro station area where the batteries for the soleckshaw could be recharged (see India adopts 'green rickshaw' with fanfare).

Officials said they hopes to bring the technology to other regions. Developed by Durgapur-based Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, the soleckshaw can travel 15 to 20 kilometers per hour and can carry load up to 200 kilograms. Its 36-volt battery needs to be charged after five hours or 60 kilometers.