India Post, India's national postal service, has introduced electric vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. In some cities, postmen can therefore be seen driving small e-rickshaws/e-carts , as well as scooters and other electric vehicles.
The electric rickshaws popular among Indian postmen have several advantages:
- They cost less to use. Electricity generally costs less than fuel, and the electric motor requires less maintenance. A WRI study estimates that, over 10 years, the total operating cost of an e-rickshaw is significantly lower than that of a gasoline or diesel model.
- Less pollution in cities. They produce no tailpipe emissions, so they directly reduce local air pollutants compared to vehicles with combustion engines.
- They are much quieter. The absence of a combustion engine makes the vehicle quieter, a notable advantage in busy cities.
- They are perfect for short trips. They are particularly useful for the so-called “first and last mile”, for example, to take a person from the train station to their home. In India, e-rickshaws fulfill this very role in both cities and small towns.
- They can be a source of income. The relatively low cost and low operating costs allow many drivers to use them as a business activity.
- They reduce dependence on oil. India imports much of its oil; switching from gasoline/diesel to electricity reduces its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The overall impact of India Post's decision is significant, for one key reason: the company's widespread reach, with over 160.000 post offices nationwide, even in the most remote rural areas. Many of these offices have installed charging stations that can be used by all citizens who use electric vehicles for urban mobility.
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