Merits and Challenges of E-Rickshaw as An Alternative form of Public Road Transport System: A Case Study in the State of West Bengal in India

Battery operated electric three-wheelers or e-rickshaws have recently emerged in the public road transport sector in India. These vehicles have gained much popularity owing to the comfortable and economic mode of transport they provide to the fellow commuters. The present work is based on a case study in West Bengal state where the travel pattern of these vehicles has been studied. The average specific energy consumption of the e-rickshaws has been found to be 53.76 kJ/passenger-km, which is the most efficient among other forms of motorized three-wheeled passenger vehicles. This study also delineates the challenges that stand in the way of proper implementation of these e-rickshaws in the public transport sector.