The German–Indian start-up Nunam has announced that it is bringing e3W rickshaws to India that are powered by used batteries from test vehicles in the Audi e-tron test fleet. The e-rickshaws are scheduled to hit the roads in India for the first time in a pilot project in early 2023.
Additionally, the e-rickshaws charge using power from solar charging stations. The solar panels are located on the roofs of the local partner’s premises, a press release from the company said.
The project aims to explore how modules made with high-voltage batteries can be reused after their car life cycle and become a viable second-life use case.
It added that the project also aims to strengthen job opportunities for women in India in particular. The non-profit start-up based in Berlin and Bangalore is funded by the Audi Environmental Foundation and has developed the three prototypes in collaboration with the training team at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, which in turn benefits from the intensive intercultural exchange, the company said.
The e3Ws will be made available to a non-profit organisation, women in particular; they will be able to use the all-electric rickshaws to transport their goods to market for sale, all without the need for intermediaries, the company added.
Prodip Chatterjee, Co-founder, Nunam, said that the old batteries are still extremely powerful. “When used appropriately, second-life batteries can have a huge impact, helping people in challenging life situations earn an income and gain economic independence – everything in a sustainable way,” he added.
The start-up’s primary goal is to develop ways to use old batteries as second-life power storage systems, thus both extending their lives and using resources more efficiently, the release said.
In addition to the rickshaws intended for road use in India, the trainees at the Neckarsulm site are developing an additional show rickshaw in cooperation with Nunam, it added.
Rüdiger Recknagel, Environmental Foundation Director, Audi, said, “Initiatives like the one pioneered by Nunam are needed to find new use cases for e-waste. Not only in India, but worldwide.