Battery and CNG Autos Offer Savings for Drivers in Kolkata

Key Highlights:

• One in five new autorickshaws in 2024 are eco-friendly, being battery-operated or CNG-powered.
• The city replaced 844 autos this year, including 33 electric and 132 CNG-powered.
• Operators find electric autos appealing due to low running costs, despite initial reluctance and limited charging infrastructure.
• Electric autos cost more upfront but offer significant annual savings and low maintenance.
• The transition to cleaner fuels began in 2008 when LPG replaced two-stroke petrol autos, improving air quality.

With battery-operated and CNG-powered autorickshaws making their debut in the city, approximately one out of every five new autorickshaws that hit the streets in 2024 will be less harmful to the environment and more sustainable for operators. Despite its modest size, the development represents a substantial legislative shift toward zero-emission automobiles.

So far this year, 844 three wheeler have been replaced because they exceeded the 15-year restriction for commercial vehicles. There were 33 battery-operated vehicles and 132 CNG-powered.

Although the electric charging infrastructure in the city remains underdeveloped, many auto operators are beginning to find the blue-colored electric autos appealing due to their lower operating costs. According to a Public Vehicles Department officer, these electric autos are becoming a preferred choice.

Shift from LPG to Electric and CNG

Most of the city's 24,000 autos are powered by LPG. The transition to cleaner fuels started in 2008, when the High Court banned two-stroke petrol autos and required their replacement with four-stroke LPG vehicles. 

This change improved air quality, as many petrol autos were using adulterated fuel. While LPG and CNG remain popular options for operators, the rising awareness about electric autos' long-term benefits is driving a gradual shift despite the challenges in charging facilities.

Cost and Savings with Electric Autos

Operators have discovered that electric autos, although priced higher at INR 3.9 lakh compared to LPG autos at INR 2.3 lakh, offer substantial savings. Electric three wheelers can be charged at home within five to six hours, and their low maintenance costs are a major advantage. 

For example, the daily operating cost for electric autos has dropped from INR 3,500 to just INR 200, according to Gour Das, a driver using an electric auto on the Behala-Rashbehari route.

Also Read: Lohia Launches New Narain iCH L3 Electric Cargo Vehicle

CMV360 Says

Switching to electric and CNG autos is great for the environment and helps drivers save money. Even though charging stations are still limited, more and more drivers are choosing electric autos because of their benefits. As more people support clean energy, these greener vehicles will likely become more common, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable future for city transport.