Awareness Workshop on Electric Three-Wheelers in Surat

Since the majority of auto-rickshaw drivers belong to lower and lower-middle income groups, sensitising them to the economic benefits of e-mobility is crucial. An awareness workshop was organised at the SMC Community Hall, Bhatena, Surat, to engage directly with auto-rickshaw drivers. The workshop was a part of the ‘Climate-Friendly Electric Mobility Transition, Implementation, and Knowledge Dissemination’ project by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)and GIZ, in collaboration with Surat Municipal Corporation and CEPT Research and Development Foundation.

Workshop highlights:

• The event was supported by SMC, auto-rickshaw associations, State Bank of India, and EV manufacturers, including Mahindra, Atul, and Bajaj.

• Around 250 CNG auto-rickshaw drivers participated, including women operating Pink Autos in the city.

• Awareness sessions focused on government subsidies, EV technologies, financial incentives, and the economic benefits of transitioning to EVs.

• Information was shared on simplified loan procedures from national banks like SBI, offering low interest rates.

• Experience-sharing by existing electric three-wheeler drivers offered practical insights for participants.

• A vehicle exhibition was organised to showcase the latest electric three-wheeler models, allowing drivers to explore and test-ride the vehicles.

• Brochures in the local language were distributed, featuring comparisons between conventional and electric three-wheelers, details of available electric models, government incentives, and cost-benefit analyses to help drivers make informed decisions.

The event received a positive response from the participants, and their feedback was collected to further guide the formulation of an electrification strategy for the intermediate public transport (IPT) sector.

Know more about the project here.