The launch of the pilot project of converting 200 four-stroke petrol three-wheelers to electric took place on Thursday the 11th, at the Department of Motor Traffic, Werahera, Boralesgamuwa.

Dr. Bandula Gunawardane - Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Ms. Azusa Kubota - Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, Lasantha Alagiyawanna - State Minister of Transport, and Mr. Ranjith Sepala - Chairman, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were among the special invitees who graced the event.

With the aim of enhancing mobility as a driver of low-carbon, inclusive, equitable development pathways within Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Transport and Highways, Ministry of Power and Energy, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Department of Motor Traffic and National Transport Commission will conduct the program in three phases.

The incubation phase will support the conversion of 200 petrol three-wheelers to electric. It will be carried out in Pettah and Makumbura. The demonstration phase will support conversions based on the outcome of the incubation phase and the acceleration phase will use market forces for conversion through concessional financing and infrastructure development.

The featured vehicle consists of a battery capacity of 7kWh and a motor capacity of 3kW which can travel upto a range of 80 - 100 km with one charge. It takes 3 -4 hours to charge at home, and about a half an hour to 40 min. to charge at charging stations which will be installed within the span of 30 - 40 km on either side of the roads of the selected areas in an orderly manner. Solar powered three-wheelers and charging stations are to be expected in the near future.

The key advantage of switching to e-Tuk tuks as an environmentally friendly measure is that the estimated cost of electricity for charging (100km) per day is Rs. 13,600, which saves the user more than 50% spent on fuel. The Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, Ms. Azusa Kubota said that they are “expecting to save 1B USD annually from the reduction of fuel import”.

Owners of four-stroke petrol three-wheelers from the areas of Pettah and Makumbura are eligible for the selection of conversion which the cost will be covered by the UNDP. The vehicle should not be older than ten years of registration. Priority will be given to applicants whose livelihood is dependent on a single three-wheeler.

Subsequently, preferential selections are given to women owners/ operators and persons with disabilities. “Through this pilot project UNDP will support the Government to establish a viable system which can be scaled up and will prioritize marginalised groups, including women and persons with disabilities while keeping equality and equity at the core of our work,” said Ms. Azusa Kubota.