E-Rickshaw deployment strategy in Patna

Abstract

Globally, Electric vehicles have been accepted as the future of road transportation as it presents modern technology and substantial approach. More importantly, the Indian government has also plans for giving thrust to the adoption of electric vehicle adoption in Indian road transportation, with its ambitious National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, which targets to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicle in the country by year 2020. An incentivisation scheme has also been launched under NEMM called the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME India), which initiate early adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technology. The Implementation of E-rickshaw services in cities are also supporting the same sustainable transport and govt. policies. India has about 1.5 million e-rickshaws and about 11,000 new e-rickshaws enter the mobility setup every month. Further, an annual increase of about 9% is expected by 2021 in the sales of e-rickshaws. The E-rickshaw have gained so much popularity among young Unemployed people. There is haphazard development of E-rickshaw in Patna as there is now proper rules and regulation. There is growth of Illegal E-rickshaw without proper permit and safety standards which is a risk for the public. There is no proper charging and parking Infrastructure for the same in the city. Lack of proper Infrastructure is creating congestion and issues in the successful implementation of E-Rickshaw. The banning of diesel and petrol autos in city before proper implementation of alternative infrastructure is causing unemployment issues, economic instability of the operators. The realities of E-rickshaw operation are extremely challenging, and unlikely to place the driver and his family above the poverty line. This invokes the requirement of study of socio economic transformation of the section of the society earing livelihood through E rickshaw. The aim of the study is to Prepare E-rickshaw deployment strategy for Patna. To achieve this, we have prepared the objectives as -1. Assess the Adaptability of E-Rickshaw among para-transit operators 2. To Identify barriers and Facilitators for E-Rickshaw Operators 3. To Identify Routes and infrastructure for E-Rickshaw Operators 4. To Recommend regulations for E-Rickshaw operations and Enabling conditions for Operators. Finally, we critically assess policy recommendations to address the issues related to E-rickshaws and their drivers, and offer our own suggestions regarding open permit systems, improved access to formal sector credit, a timetable for regular fare revision and the phasing out of E-rickshaws Implementation. For this Key Informant are identified and Interviewed. The Systematic Sampling (Probability Sampling) is done for the user and operator at different site in Patna. Snowballing sampling (Non-Probability sampling) is done for the Dealer or manufacturer. For a broad perspective different stakeholder of Govt. department were also approached. The findings of the study would provide essential inputs to the design of service and help in developing plans and policies for the improvement of electric rickshaw services to have a sustainable public transportation system that is less dependent on conventional fuels.