TN takes one more step towards eco-friendly public transport, launches e-autos

The auto rickshaws will run on battery and can be charged using DC and AC current.
TN takes one more step towards eco-friendly public transport, launches e-autos
TN takes one more step towards eco-friendly public transport, launches e-autos
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami flagged off India’s first set of retrofitted electric auto rickshaws at the Secretariat. Earlier this year, the government of Tamil Nadu had inaugurated electric buses as a part of the fleet of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC).

‘Makkal’ auto or people’s auto is a scheme that already exists is various cities in Tamil Nadu in autos that use fossil fuels. The newly launched version of ‘Makkal’ auto or ‘M-Auto’ as it is called will be auto rickshaws that run on electricity. The auto rickshaws are touted to be eco-friendly with solar panels fitted on top of the vehicles. It takes 30 minutes for the battery system inside the auto rickshaws to charge completely and once fully charged, it can cover a distance of upto 100 kms, as per  reports. Retro-fitted by Mauto Electric Mobility, these auto rickshaws can run at a top speed of 60 kms per hour.

As per a report in Deccan Chronicle, the electric vehicles are cost effective. An auto rickshaw fitted with a normal engine that uses petrol, diesel or LPG costs Rs 400 for 10 kilometres, while the same distance costs Rs 40 in an electric vehicle. In the new fleet that has been flagged off by the Chief Minister on Friday, the autos have been retro-fitted with electric engine-motor system in order to not add to the existing vehicle population in the city. 

On Friday, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Pongal gift scheme for the ration card holders in the state. The gift package this year will have a kilogram of raw rice, 1 kg sugar, two-feet-long sugarcane and a packet with 20 grams of cashew nuts, 20 grams of raisins and five grams of cardamom. The ration card holders eligible for the gift hamper will also receive Rs 1000 in cash as Pongal gift. 

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