New Delhi: The Central government enterprise, Central Electronics Ltd(CEL) has donated ten solar-powered rickshaws to 58-year old Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi as a part of their Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the publication reported.
The CEL has used 300-watt solar panels, which is placed on the roof of rickshaws. Beautifully designed and manufactured, these rickshaws can run with an ideal speed between 10km/hr to 15km/hr. According to the manufacturers, the rickshaw has the potential to reach up to 25km/hr due to the imported motors from China.
“The initiative is an instance of technology, tradition and empathy coming together for a social cause. This innovation combines traditional knowledge and modern technology to create harmony among the environment, employment needs and convenience,” said Ram Gopal Rao, Director, IIT-Delhi.
Priced at Rs 68,000, the solar-powered rickshaws would be given to rickshaw pullers, who have been operating inside the campus since 2002-03. These vehicles can be operated only inside the IIT campus.