Pollution-wracked Delhi is betting on an electric vehicle (EV) push, encouraged by the government and increasing awareness. E-rickshaws constitute a major part of EVs in the national capital.
While the number of registered e-rickshaws is 120,000, the actual number may be much higher, possibly between 120,000 and 240,000, according to The Times of India.
Many existing charging stations in Delhi are often not designed for e-rickshaws. With the result that many of these vehicles have to recharge in places that operate illegally.
These illegal charging stations pose grave risks as they are often located in slums and informal settlements. They usually lack licenses and safety measures.
These illegal charging stations are vulnerable to electrocution, short circuits, and fires. They highlight the gaps in Delhi’s EV policy.