Engineering students from the CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences from the Hayatabad area in Peshawar have successfully built an environment-friendly, working prototype of a solar-powered auto-rickshaw.
With a top-speed of 40 kilometers per hour, the fully automatic vehicle, named the ‘green rickshaw’ is made to save the drivers from the hassle of queuing up in lines to purchase fuels, while providing the passengers with a safe and pollution-free means of transportation. Unlike other standard rickshaws that have three or four stroke CNG and petrol engines, this rickshaw is equipped with rechargeable batteries that can be charged through the electricity generated from solar energy.
Watch the video here:
The ‘green rickshaw’ project was funded by the Directorate of Science and Technology in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and was built at a price of about Rs. 300,000, which amounts to about $3000, with the majority of the expenses associated with the power generating solar panels.
The young engineers are hopeful that with proper assistance and governmental support, solar-powered vehicles can soon be introduced in the Pakistani market, which would help transform the public transport system into an efficient and trouble-free body. The only problem, it seems, would be the mass production of such vehicles while making sure that the solar equipment is safe and protected against theft.
This working prototype of a solar-powered rickshaw is surely exciting news for every Pakistani. We would like to congratulate the students for making all the Pakistanis proud!
