Manul Arora of Bajrangi 786 E-Rickshaws intends to popularise the use of electric rickshaws in the State. He spoke to AJIT JOHN about his plans.
HERALD: What is Bajrangi E –Rickshaw all about?
Manul Arora: It is an electric rickshaw which is built in North India and is an effort to reduce the pollution in the cities and make it more eco friendly. It is a new concept from the government and within 2 to 3 years all the vehicles will be electric. Even buses are coming using electricity, so it will be big in the next couple of years. More than 50 million vehicles are already operational in North India.
The company is now focussed on South India and I am now present in Goa and the people of this State must think about the next generation and avoid pollution. In addition it is also very cheap. By charging it for Rs 12 every day, you can run it for 100 km. It is maintenance free vehicle and it works out to 12 paisa per km. It is also not a high speed vehicle and for locals it will not be expensive to travel short distances.
HERALD: What is the carrying capacity of the vehicle?
MA: 500 Kg without a problem, 5 people including the driver. The normal weight in India is between 70-80 kg. It is a 4 pus 1 vehicle. The vehicle is manufactured in Faridabad, Haryana, it is approved by the relevant bodies.
HERALD: What is the cost of the vehicle?
MA: In Goa the ex-showroom is Rs 1,55,000 and with all the taxes on road with life time tax it will cost Rs 1,80,000.
HERALD: In comparison to existing vehicles which run on petrol or diesel what is the cost?
MA: This vehicle does not need any servicing, no problem of lubricants, oil change nothing, the other auto rickshaws cost more than Rs 2 lakh. They can save more money, they spend around Rs 55 to 60 per litre and they run around 100 km which will cost them around Rs 200 a day and over here this rickshaw will cost Rs 12 per day. These vehicles have to be charged in the night and require 8 hours charging. The battery which is Exide survives for 1.5 to 2 years. This is a Make in India product.
HERALD: What is the response in Goa?
MA: No sales as yet but I have around 2 – bookings. People in Goa are not very aggressive about such vehicles and it will take time.
HERALD: What are your expectations from this market?
MA: I am expecting more than 10,000 vehicles, in the first 6 months more than 500 vehicles.
HERALD: What is this confidence based on?
MA: It is based on the response in North India where 1000 vehicles were sold in 6 months in every place where it was launched. Over here I am looking at 50% of that. We will also be doing all the servicing if required. It is a routine check up every 4 months. Remember buses and 2 wheelers are coming next year after March. The scooter I mean. It will cost around Rs 35,000-40,000. It can be run for 150 km per day. Speed maximum will be 40 km.
HERALD: This will then mean the replacement of existing autos right?
MA: Right now the response I am getting is from people who want to use it for private use. For business it is Rs 1,69,000 on road and for personal it is Rs 1,80,000 on road. This is because of the taxation in place.
