Green Rickshaw

In the auto industry, green is in. With the price of petroleum fuel skyrocketing, it is not surprising that automakers like Toyota are developing and manufacturing hybrid vehicles which use electricity to power the vehicle during light operation thus reducing its need to burn petroleum fuel. Today, we can see more and more automakers coming up with concept vehicles which run on hydrogen while some runs solely on electricity. It is only a shame that electric rickshaws are yet to be produced right?

Actually, an electric rickshaw has already been manufactured but whether it is being widely used today is something I am still discovering. The electric rickshaw in question is the Yamaha Powerhorse 302 which has been developed for the 2005 Tokyo World Expo. At the said event taxis are not permitted so Yamaha came up with the electric rickshaw which transported event goers to the show.

Said rickshaw is powered by a battery pack but it still has a pedal. Why? Maybe because without the pedal it will be a taxi which as I've told were not permitted at the event. Actually, the battery pack only makes it easier for the driver to pedal. You know what that means? That translates to no unpleasant view of your driver's sweaty back as you ride at the coach of the rickshaw.

Yamaha though said that they are not yet decided whether they should import the electric rickshaw which are streamlined like some Acura CL fender. Today, rickshaws are becoming more and more popular not only in Asian countries but also in industrialized countries like the United Kingdom and the United States where the move to legalize rickshaw operations is being undertaken.