No noise, nature-wise answer to trishaw troubles
W.K.H. Wegapitiya
With government plans to impose controls over 2-stroke and 4-stroke three wheelers in Sri Lanka, LAUGFS Solutions has embarked on research and development (R&D) to find an effective and sustainable solution to address the many concerns surrounding conventional three wheelers.
Keeping in line with LAUGFS’s strong focus on sustainable energy solutions and innovation-led entrepreneurial culture, a electric-powered three wheeler or E-STROKE was developed by the technical team at LAUGFS Solutions, top officials said.
“Following months of R&D work, four three wheelers were converted to electricity as part of the pilot project, which currently operate successfully. These include three from the Sri Lanka Three-Wheeler Association and the other owned and run by LAUGFS,” W.K.H. Wegapitiya, Chairman LAUGFS Holdings told the Business Times.
Less costly
He pointed out that considering the cost of conventional transport fuel cost per km with an E-STROKE is one fourth of the cost of a gasoline-run Three Wheelers.”Comparative maintenance costs of electric-powered three wheelers are also significantly less. This means greater earning capacity for three wheel drivers,” he said adding that this is an ideal solution for less environmental pollution. E-STROKE has almost zero emissions, he said noting that it will be an effective solution of noise pollution as electric vehicles are almost whisper quiet whilst 2-stroke engines are known to be very noisy. Studies show a potential noise reduction of 99 per cent.
The E-stroke
Joining in the discussion, Dhatusena Senanayake, CEO, Lanka Electric Vehicle Association, said that exposure to air pollution caused by vehicular emissions are known to cause severe health issues, resulting in premature mortality and morbidity. “Health concerns vary from respiratory illnesses to cardiovascular disease. Each year, air pollution accounts for tens of thousands of premature deaths and billions of dollars in medical costs and lost productivity.”
This is also an easy and convenient option as electric-powered three wheelers are provided with an on-board charger, which can be used to charge by plugging into any standard 220V, 50 Hz wall outlet at home or work. A single charge can currently be used for around 100 km providing convenience for drivers.
With the four converted E-STROKE showing promising results, the teams at LAUGFS Solutions are currently working on making electric-powered three wheeler a commercially viable and environmentally sound transportation solution for Sri Lanka, Thilak de Silva, Group Managing Director LAUGFS Holdings told the Business Times.
“This E-STROKE concept comes as a natural extension of our continuous focus on environmentally sustainable business solutions. From auto-gas conversion as a greener alternative for conventional motor fuel, to air quality management services by Eco Sri to renewable energy solutions by LAUGFS Power, this latest E-STROKE Project LAUGFS is another step towards pioneering innovative business solutions for a sustainable future,” he explained.
Mr. Wegapitiya noted that the maintenance will be low in a Trishaw with this electric conversion kit, and that there’s no gearbox. “So, there’s a huge cost saving on importing petrol,” he said and with one million Trishaws, it will impact the country’s fuel bill positively.
Three wheelers continue to occupy a 24 per cent share of the four million active vehicle fleet in Sri Lanka and contribute to an estimated 15 per cent of passenger km from passenger transport vehicles. Several steps have been taken by Sri Lankan governments to control vehicular emissions, such as the implementation of progressively stringent emission standards for vehicle emission testing.
“According to the latest Government policy document titled Sri Lanka Energy Sector Development Plan for a Knowledge-based Economy 2015-2025, the country envisages to meet 100% of its energy demand from renewable energy in all end-use sectors such as Transport/Domestic/Industry and Commercial,” Mr. Wegapitiya added.
Mr. De Silva added that the company through LAUGFS Solutions will be eyeing the second stage of this project for the Nano taxis. “There’ll be a lot of R&D going into this and our target is to maybe manufacture some parts,” he said.
Lalith Dharmasekera, Founder Chairman – All Island Three Wheeler Drivers’ Union, added that as an industry, this electric conversion is a timely solution but the tariff on the electric vehicles is a concern.