Electric bike champions in India Hero Electric launched the
much-awaited electric rickshaw, ‘Raahii’ on April 2, 2015 in New Delhi. This is a pure commuter vehicle.
Raahii is equipped with features like 1000W motor, 220V,
50HZ, SMPS BASED CHARGER, 12V, 100AH battery and 55A, 36MOSFET controller for
unmatched performance in its category. The e-rickshaw weighs 190 kgs and is
carefully-modelled to suit the comfort requirements of both drivers as well as
passengers. While it has comfortable
seating, storage space, adequate legroom, mobile charger and ergonomically
designed foot brake for drivers, it also has features like ergonomically designed
seats with better cushioning, side curtains for safety and inclined back
support for passengers.
Sohinder Gill, CEO Hero Electric said during the launch, “We
are highly ecstatic on launching this innovative model of e-rickshaw. Raahii is
designed to ease the hassles that daily commuters and drivers have to go
through while travelling. With its durable built that promises reliability and
longevity, we are also ensuring that it delivers on long terms benefits to the
environment as well.”
The e-rickshaw comprises a HPF Charger that consumes less
power and can withstand high voltage fluctuations. It also comes with internal
L.E.D. light for passenger and driver and USB mobile charger for driver.
Besides these, it is replete with reclined seat, spacious legroom and floor
mats that further enhance the experience of travellers.
‘Raahii’ is certified as per the guidelines of ARAI. The
maintenance of the e-rickshaw is made seamless with company trained people to
troubleshoot the problems and easy availability of its parts at the company’s
dealership. The doorstep service for institutional customers and the e-rickshaw
easy to repair components make it the most practical, promising and
contemporary model of electric rickshaws on the road today.
According to a company press release, the current electric rickshaws use welding at their joints such as arm rests, step through area and the roof which are poorly executed and result in easy disintegration and breakages. Raahii addresses this issue by using nut and bolt under cover with chassis and 3mm thick L-Plate Gussets at the joints resulting in a more reliable and strong body and safeguard the weld joints from rusting.
Paint & Rust: The paint quality used by the existing e-rickshaw is substandard and result in the rusting of the vehicle. Raahii uses a superior double coat painting on the surface (25-30 microns thick), under chassis parts and front & rear side of wheels giving it extended life and improved quality. The under body is covered in Epoxy Resin which does not allow for rusting.
Other areas of improvement are use of military grade fasteners to avoid rusting and the nuts & bolts which are exposed on the current e-rickshaw have been redesigned to be fixed inside the body covers to keep its exposure to the environment a minimum.
Space: The legroom provided for the driver and passenger in the Raahii is substantially larger and the highest space on any electric rickshaw present on Indian roads making for a more comfortable and spacious ride.