Different Strokes: New Lower-Pollution Auto Rickshaw Engines Could Save Lives and Curb Climate Change [Slide Show]
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EVs: Electric rickshaws are gaining traction in some cities, such as Bangkok, but they remain more expensive than other options and a lack of charging stations—and reliable electricity—remain issues. ITDP
IT'S A (NATURAL) GAS:
Alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) can help cut soot emissions from auto-rickshaws, as demonstrated via air pollution levels in cities that have made the switch, such as Delhi and Mumbai. Local natural gas availability and price remain a challenge, however. EMBARQ / Dave K. Cooper
HEAVY DUTY: More powerful rickshaws—like this large-capacity vehicle in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh in India—are often used to transport cargo as well. Piyush Ranjan Rout / Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities
PEDICAB: The word rickshaw is derived from the Japanese word jinrikisha, which means human-powered vehicle—like the pedal-powered one pictured here. ITDP
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LOW-COST OPTION: Research suggests that auto-rickshaws are more affordable and accessible, although passenger safety remains a concern because of the open vehicle design. EMBARQ / Dave K. Cooper
URBAN NEEDS: Demand for public transport in countries such as India exceeds supply as rural residents migrate to densely packed cities, such as Mumbai. India's urban population is expected to swell to 590 million by 2030, up from 340 million in 2008. For new arrivals, rickshaws provide an immediate, short-distance transportation solution, particularly in places without mass transit. Rickshaws are also more adept at navigating crowded city streets, weaving in and out of pedestrians and traffic more nimbly than other vehicles. EMBARQ / Dave K. Cooper
LAST MILE: Auto-rickshaws play an important role in urban transit in Asia, ferrying passengers to and from bus and train stops over the so-called "last mile." In India, cities with populations greater than four million boast as many as 50,000 of the three-wheeled vehicles. EMBARQ / Dave K. Cooper
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