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posted on 17 Jun 2010
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If electric 3-wheelers could be part of the solution for air quality and transported-related carbon emissions in some cities, how could city governments help create the charging infrastructure for these vehicles and other incentives necessary to convince users to swap from petrol to electric vehicles? Civic Exchange in Hong Kong is looking for information on the role of 3-wheeled electric vehicles and the challenges of using these types of vehicles.
Please share information with this Community and with Andrew Lawson (alawson@civic-exchange.org)
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706 days ago
Here is a reply from Narayan Iyer from Pune, India:
From Narayan Iyer
date Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 11:04 PM
subject Re: Recharging electric three wheelers
Dear Glynda,
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I do remember the number of discussions we used to have at Bajaj Auto regarding the issue of charging when we were actively working on the Electric Auto-rickshaw. One of the approaches was that of 'Opportunity Charging' which involved the installation of charging stations at selected points on the predominant routes of the rickshaws where they could plug in into the charger while they are idling. This would, of course, be in addition to the overnight charging at home. The most important question was whether the investment in the "Opportunity Charging Stations' would be economically viable with low numbers of electric vehicles plying on the roads. Eventually, the whole system of electric vehicles is dependent upon on volumes.
Another approach was to have quick battery replacement at selected locations. The approach here would be somewhat similar to 'Opportunity Charging' except that the entire battery bank of the vehicle would get replaced with a new fully charged one. The discharged batteries would then be plugged into charging systems till they are ready for the next vehicle. In this approach, it is necessary that the battery bank of the vehicle is designed for fast and easy removal and installation. The process should not take more than a few minutes and should be trouble free. This approach would require sorting out a number of issues related to pricing, ownership of the batteries, charging infrastructure and space for handling a large number of battery banks etc.
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Best regards,
Narayan Iyer
683 days ago
Here is a reply from Thalearngsak Petchsuwan of PCD Thailand:
Dear Glynda,
Regarding your question, right now, there is no local authority has any plan to setup the charging station as the public facility. This is because of the number of electric vehicle in Thailand is very small. Moreover, the charging system that we have is not a quick charge type. Now, we are looking for the appropriate technology of battery and charging system to promote the electric vehicle in Thailand.
Best regards,
Thalearngsak Petchsuwan
Thalearngsak.p@pcd.go.th
475 days ago
No doubt electric three-wheelers and motorcycles have great potential to reduce air pollution (and secondarily noise).
Publically accessible charging points present a complex policy challenge because a 'normal' charge takes too long to be practical, 'fast' charge equipment is expensive and not well developed and pricing / payment could be a complex issue.
The key in my opinion is to ensure a battery capacity / range that is adequate for the typical daily mileage covered by the tricycle (or any other EV for that matter). We should be getting close to that with current battery technology, having looked at examples in places like Chengdu, China. Electric tricycles must also be cost competitive, and again looking at chinese examples, we should be getting close.
A limited number of publically accessible charging points should be provided, but intended only for 'emergency' use rather than part of daily routine. Price of electricty from the publically accessible points should reflect the 'emergency' status.
In terms of incentives, there are a vast number that could be introduced. In my opinion registration incentives (e.g. a lower annual registration / licence fee for electric tricycles) and purchase incentives (e.g. lower duties / VAT rate on electric vehicles) would be preferable. Once a critical mass of electric tricycles has been established they could be given exclusive access rights to certain markets, for example areas of the city that suffer from particuarly bad air quality.
475 days ago
The tricky bit in developing countries such as India would be, not just to get the charging stations, but also to get electricity to the stations. With the 5000 odd small and medium towns in India getting locked in fossil fuel technology, the feasibility of electric 2 and 3 wheelers is being challenged by significant electricity shortage. That's going to be a bigger challenge in India, given that large megapolis' such as Delhi are already invested heavily in gasoline and diesel infrastructure.
474 days ago
There are literally millions of electric 2 wheelers and thousands of electric 3 wheelers on the road in China. All of this without a dedicated charging infrastructure. People take out the batteries and charge them at home.
Cornie