How E-Rickshaw Drivers Are Managing Their Batteries: Schemes & Policies That Can Benefit Three-Wheeler Owners

The growth of E-rickshaws on Indian roads back the upward trajectory in the acceptance of EVs for the overall public good.

A typical E-rickshaw uses four rechargeable lead-acid batteries which last six-to-eight months.

Source : Getty Images

The world at present is looking for a future that is free from the environmental chaos it is dealing with now. The environment is the key through which the gate to a sustainable future can be unlocked. A lot of damage to the climate has already been done and every effort to restore it are now invaluable. India is attempting to lead the change by cutting its carbon emission, going electric, and fuelling its wheels on ethanol rather than petroleum outputs. Cashing in on the revolution, E-rickshaws arrived as a cheap-and-clean mode of mobility in the country addressing various issues at once. The change is massive but it took years, and today the streets of the national capital are abuzz with these three-wheelers.  

E-Rickshaws & Battery Management

E-rickshaws are also a preferred mode of transport for many. However, it has become important to see how the drivers are dealing with the current development. It is quite known to all that any kind of electric vehicle is not pocket-friendly. The prime reason is the cost of the battery. Since India does not manufacture batteries on its own, every type of E-vehicle in the country is bound to become expensive. However, Central and various State governments, banks and companies have introduced several types of subsidies to help people buy the E-Rickshaws and become a part of the electric revolution in the country.

As for price and budget, one can purchase an E-rickshaw for as low as Rs 60,000. However, if the budget allows, one can have a better one (with better fittings and features) for Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakhs. Whereas, an E-rickshaw battery can range from Rs 7,000 to Rs 1 lakh (if one chooses a Lithium-ion battery) and comes mostly with a six-month warranty after which it can be sold to registered dealers at half the price. 

However, the battery still remains the biggest concern — before or after the purchase of the E-rickshaws. ABP Live talked to some of these drivers in Delhi who shared how they manage their E-rickshaw and battery. One of the E-rickshaw drivers, Diman, said that on average, the three-wheeler vehicle travels around 80 kilometres per day, adding that this distance reduces along with the life of the battery. As far as charging is concerned, those who have their houses nearby charge it at their homes while many others use the dedicated parking stations. These stations have charging points for the convenience of E-rickshaw drivers across Delhi-NCR.

Interestingly, Shailesh, another E-rickshaw driver, said that he sold his previous battery at 50 per cent cost to the battery dealers.

Well, the science behind this is that a typical E-rickshaw uses four rechargeable lead-acid batteries which last six-to-eight months. E-rickshaw drivers said that they sell it afterwards to dealers, who then recycle these in factories. Unlike other metals, lead can be infinitely recycled without loss of quality and hence the e-rickshaw drivers get a fair resale price for this. Some of them told ABP Live that they have nearly fixed their dealers, yet they try to see who can get them a better price.

Recently, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) said it will resume the free E-rickshaw services at Sector 52 metro station of Blue Line of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to allow passengers a smooth change of services from DMRC to NMRC or vice-versa. This has become another reason for commuters to trust these eco-friendly vehicles in the metro city.

Aid For E-Rickshaws And Drivers — FAME India Scheme

As part of its aim to penetrate 30 per cent of the vehicle segment with electric vehicles by 2030, and to give a push to the same, the Centre and state governments have initiated various schemes and incentives. For this, under The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 Department of Heavy Industry under the Government of India formulated a Scheme viz. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in the year 2015 to promote the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same.

Under FAME-India Scheme, incentives are provided to buyers of electric vehicles in the form of an upfront reduction in the purchase price of electric vehicles.  

The incentive is linked to battery capacity i.e. Rs 10,000/kWh for e-3W and e-4W with a cap of 20 per cent of the cost of the vehicle, according to an official release of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The Government on May 12, 2021, approved a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country in order to bring down the prices of batteries in the country.  A drop in battery price will result in cost reduction of electric vehicles.

Also, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) announced that battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements.

FAME II — Riding On FAME I Success

The Government of India approved Phase II of the FAME Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 Crore for a period of 3 years commencing from 1st April 2019. As per an official statement, out of total budgetary support, about 86 per cent of the fund has been allocated to Demand Incentive so as to create demand for electric vehicles in the country. 

This phase aims to generate demand by way of supporting 7,000 Electric Buses (e-bus), and five lakh Electric Three Wheelers (e-3W) among others. This shows the focus continues to remain on an equal proportionate basis on all modes including the E-rickshaws.

States’ Schemes For E-Rickshaws

Delhi

In 2020, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government aims to constitute 25 per cent of E-vehicles by 2024. He also announced a subsidy of up to Rs 30,000 subsidy on two-wheelers, up to Rs 1.5 lakh subsidy on Cars, Rs 30,000 subsidy on Auto-rickshaw and Rs 30,000 subsidy on freight vehicles.

Apart from these, the announcement followed a separate section for the E-rickshaws. Kejriwal announced a subsidy of up to Rs 30,000 subsidy on E-Rickshaw, a waiver on registration fees and road tax for E-Vehicles. The CM mentioned that 200 public charging stations would be set up for the E-rickshaw drivers, and there will be a scrapping incentive, and low-interest loan on the purchase of E-Vehicles among others.

Assam

The Electric Vehicle Policy of Assam, 2021, aims to improve air quality by enabling EVs to contribute to 25 per cent of all new vehicle registrations by 2026. One can get a subsidy of Rs 50,000 for electric three-wheelers.  

Meghalaya

If one purchases a 3-wheeler EV here, the person can get an incentive of Rs 4,000 per kWh for the first 200 EVs. The ex-factory price of the vehicle should not exceed Rs 5 Lakh.  

Uttar Pradesh

Similarly, the Uttar Pradesh government has also taken a step towards promoting EVs. The Yogi Adityanath-led government announced to exempt road tax and registration fees for three years on the purchase of EVs, effective from October 14, 2022. Notably, the benefit will be extended to EVs manufactured in the state as well, with a validity of five years.

As per the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022, a 100 per cent tax breather will be provided on EVs sold and registered in Uttar Pradesh from October 14, 2022, to October 13, 2025. As per the policy, in the fourth and fifth year of the effective period of the policy, from October 14, 2025, to October 13, 2027, a 100 per cent rebate on EVs manufactured, sold, and registered in the state will be given.

A similar kind of rebate is available in many other states and even with municipal bodies across the country.