News
Tuk-tuks to go electric
View(s):Sri Lanka is promoting e-mobility to reduce carbon emissions emitted from vehicles, while adopting greener and cleaner approaches for a more sustainable and resilient future. A shift towards sustainable mobility is seen as a necessity for a green recovery process.
In line with this, a pilot project was launched on Thursday (11 May) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government to convert 500,000 three-wheelers to e-tuk tuks (electric vehicles) within a period of five years. This initiative supports the revival of micro-level economic activities in the country.
UNDP is conducting this project together with the Department of Motor Traffic, the National Transportation Commission and the Ministries of Transport, Power, and Energy.
The proposed project is divided into three phases: incubation, demonstration, and acceleration. The conversion process will be tested during the incubation phase, engaging the finance sector during the demonstration phase, and accelerated during the acceleration phase by using market forces such as subsidised loans and infrastructure development.
Speaking at the project launch, Minister Bandula Gunawardane stated, “This pilot project will serve as a platform to launch electric three-wheelers in the country. Electric three-wheelers will not only benefit individual operators, but also contribute to springboarding the country’s economic recovery process.”
Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP said that “This pilot project is part of UNDP’s Green Development Portfolio, which is currently being developed. This portfolio aims to build solutions, and support Sri Lanka’s development in catalysing low-carbon, green, and inclusive development, within which sustainable transportation and e-mobility play a key role. Through this pilot project, UNDP will support the Government to establish a viable system that can be scaled up and will prioritise marginalised groups, including women and persons with disabilities, while keeping equality and equity at the core of our work.”
Accordingly, to qualify for this conversion process of the incubation stage of converting 200 three-wheelers to electric three-wheelers, the three-wheelers should be 4-stroke and should not be older than 10 years from the date of manufacture. During the first phase, 200 individuals from Pettah and Makumbura (100 from each location) will be eligible for conversion. Furthermore, Priority will be given to those whose livelihoods depend on a single three-wheeler, those with disabilities, and preferential selections for women owners. During this first phase, the total conversion cost will be covered by the UNDP.
Electrified tuk tuk Pix by Indika Handuwala
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