[TusharK]

Mahindra has launched an all-electric e-Alfa Mini rickshaw in India. The 4+1-seater people carrier is priced at Rs. 1.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and will be launched in phases throughout the country. It is currently available in Delhi-NCR region and will soon be introduced in Lucknow and Kolkata.



According to the company, the e-Alfa Mini electric rickshaw is best suited for last mile connectivity. It features dual-tone interiors finished in black and red colours.

The e-Alfa Mini uses an electric motor which is powered by a 120Ah battery. Mahindra claims that the electric rickshaw can cover 85 km on a single charge and has a top speed of 25 km/h.

The e-Alfa Mini comes with a 2-year warranty. Mahindra is also offering one-time free battery replacement.

Link to Team-BHP News

[abhishek46]

25Kmph Top Speed? Isn't that a bit too slow?
If the Top Speed is 25Kmph, then what would be their ideal cruising speed? 15Kmph?

And going by the way autos are overloaded in our nation, these things will be reduced to a 20KMPH top speed. Even a cycle would be faster.

On a side note, such slow moving vehicles, can in turn cause nuisance on the road by helplessly blocking traffic as a result of their pathetic top speed.

[SmartCat]

Based on my limited understanding of e-rickshaws:

1) There are currently around 10 lakh e-rickshaws buzzing around in our cities
2) Market size is about 100,000 units per year.
3) The sector is dominated by mostly unknown Indian companies that import components from China and assemble them here.
4) Most e-rickshaws cost anywhere between Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 90,000 (I'm guessing you pay more for range, top speed etc).

Assuming Mahindra e-Alfa is the Alfa Dog of the e-rickshaw world in terms of range/top speed etc, it is still about 20% more expensive than Chinese/local Indian e-rickshaws. However, with Mahindra, you get better after sales service and access to three wheeler financing.

The third largest three wheeler manufacturer ATUL AUTO will soon launch its offering in the market.
http://www.business-standard.com/art...0100309_1.html

If you are wondering about its tiny range and top speed, note what Mahindra says - electric rickshaw is best suited for last mile connectivity. The best example of last mile connectivity is this - city Metros running e-rickshaws to help commuters get to their destination. The destination is likely to be very close to the Metro station.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...le19622164.ece

For now, because of lack of top speed and range, these vehicles are not meant to replace taxis or traditional autorickshaws.

[swissknife]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

25Kmph Top Speed? Isn't that a bit too slow?
If the Top Speed is 25Kmph, then what would be their ideal cruising

The "rated" speed for ALL autorickshaws is 25Kmph!
What they end up doing is left to anyone's imagination!

[abhishek46]

Originally Posted by swissknife

The "rated" speed for ALL autorickshaws is 25Kmph!
What they end up doing is left to anyone's imagination!

I hope you meant Electric Autorickshaws only.

The Petrol/CNG ones are generally rated at around 60KMPH.

http://www.globalbajaj.com/global/en...pecifications/

[swissknife]

Originally Posted by abhishek46

I hope you meant Electric Autorickshaws only.

The Petrol/CNG ones are generally rated at around 60KMPH.

http://www.globalbajaj.com/global/en...pecifications/

RTO's "rate" autorickshaws at 25Kmph though they are capable of being driven at higher speeds. That is what I meant by "rated".

[hybridpetrol]

Mahindra is being a pioneer here in the EV industry, with various vehicles coming out in electric form now. Though they are all in a very elementary phase right now, we can hope that it will only improve, with push from our Government. May be in a few years down the line, Mahindra will lead the pack from India for EVs, just like they completely dominate the SUV space now.

Originally Posted by TusharK

The e-Alfa Mini uses an electric motor which is powered by a 120Ah battery. Mahindra claims that the electric rickshaw can cover 85 km on a single charge and has a top speed of 25 km/h.

85 km per charge? How many trips the drivers can do with that range? Possibly stuck in the auto stand for charging. Mahindra says the below in their website, but I don't really understand how quick it will be to charge!

Charging the e-Alfa Mini is as simple as charging a mobile phone.

[anjan_c2007]

The e-Alfa Mini or should have been e-Alfo (Mahindra has been advised probably by astrologers to use "O" for their models, as the last letter, to do good business and this is a "bold" deviation) costs around Rs 1.20 L (Rs 1.12 L ex-showroom , Delhi). It is a 4+1 seater, carries a 2 year warranty and gives one battery as a free replacement.

E-rickshaws cost anywhere from Rs 1.20 L upward to Rs 1.50 L depending on the make and model.

This is a hurried launch, coming just a day or two after the Union Transport Minister's electrification clarion call to manufacturers for survival. The top speed is quite a let down @ 25 kmph. It will block the city traffic movement by its sluggishness. And in India, everybody tries to be on the centre of a road trying to be first. In this process fast moving vehicles are forcefully slowed down. The fast moving vehicle compulsorily with a "forced patience" trails such slow moving vehicles (e-Alfa) and the driver of the fast moving vehicle often gets a fit (medical) and high BP and then overtakes rashly when space becomes available, throwing the traffic out of gear.

The e-Alfa runs for 85 kms on a single charge, and Mahindra says recharging is as simple as a mobile phone. But I am told that normally e-rickshaws require to be recharged for about five hours. The competing e-rickshaws run for 100 to 120 plus kms on a single charge. The e-Alfa is a let down n this aspect. In metros (they are prioritizing launch in NCR and Kolkata, then Lucknow), the daily run will be approximately 100 plus kms a day.

[silverado]

What's the fuss about slow speeds? These are anyways not going to run on highways and our cities are so choc a bloc that 25 sounds ok IMO.It could be limited to that speed I am guessing.

Assuming they have some fast charging capability, they can run more than 85kms in a day.

At such a low price, they undercut Bajaj auto rickshaw which is its advantage.Also RTO formalities must be simpler for such a low speed vehicle.

[volkman10]

Mahindra showcases electric three-wheeler range at MOVE 2018.

Mahindra & Mahindra showcased its latest electric three-wheelers, Treo and Treo Yaari, and will be available in the market as D+3 and D+4 variants of the electric three-wheeler respectively.

Treo features‘zero pollution’ lithium ion battery technology, in-built strong crash guard, dent and rust-free body, modern and stylish exterior design, battery status through NEMO tech among others

LINK

[GutsyGibbon]

Can I buy the e-alpha/Treo for private use?

[condor]

Originally Posted by GutsyGibbon

Can I buy the e-alpha/Treo for private use?

Yes, you should. Auto's can be registered as private vehicle also.

[volkman10]

New Mahindra electric rickshaw spied – Launch in 2019 to rival Bajaj eRick!






Link