Audi launches electric rickshaws in India, the interesting fact about the electric rickshaws will be that the rickshaws will be powered by used/ old batteries of the Audi e-tron test fleet making the project cleaner and environment friendly. They are powered by old batteries that were removed from Audi e-tron test fleet vehicles. The project’s goal is to investigate how high-voltage battery-made modules can be recycled after completing their automobile life cycle and turn into a practical second-life use case. Additionally, the project hopes to increase employment options for women in India in particular by giving them access to e-rickshaws for moving their belongings. The Audi Environmental Foundation provides funding for the non-profit organization, which has offices in Berlin and Bangalore. Together with the training team at Audi’s Neckarsulm location, Nunam created the three prototypes, benefiting from the extensive cross-cultural interaction.
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Early in 2023, a pilot project in India is planned to introduce the first e-rickshaws powered by recycled batteries. They will then be provided to a non-profit organization there. The all-electric rickshaws will allow women in particular to convey their items directly to markets without the assistance of middlemen. The battery units that power the e-rickshaws were originally utilized in an Audi e-tron. The old batteries are still quite effective; second-life batteries can have a significant impact, allowing people in difficult living circumstances to make an income and achieve financial independence in a sustainable manner.
With a high energy-density battery and relatively light vehicle weight, e-rickshaws offer optimal eco-efficiency because the electric motor doesn’t need to be very powerful. While electric rickshaws are a regular sight on Indian subcontinent highways today, they frequently use lead-acid batteries, which have a limited lifespan and are frequently not disposed of correctly.
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The business intends to use solar power from charging stations to power the e-rickshaws. The local partner’s property has solar panels installed on the roofs. An e-tron battery, which serves as a buffer storage device, is charged by sunshine during the day. Additionally, the rickshaws receive power throughout the evening.
Furthermore, the battery hasn’t necessarily come to the end of the road after spending its first life in an Audi e-tron and it is second in an e-rickshaw. To get the most out of each battery before recycling, a third stage can involve using the remaining power for stationary uses like LED lighting. Long-term reductions in India’s reliance on fossil fuels like coal, reductions in the massive amount of exhaust pollution on Indian roadways, and a steady power supply can all be achieved with the help of electric mobility and solar energy.