Pilot tests with socio-ecological added value
The plan is to hand over the e-rickshaws to a project partner in India for selected pilot users in early 2023. In addition to the e-rickshaws, Nunam also builds charging stations with second life power storage systems. The modules in the charging stations temporarily store the green solar power generated throughout the day until the e-rickshaws return in the evening to be charged. The solar power for the battery modules is provided by solar panels installed on the roofs of the local project partner. This creates a sophisticated circulatory system that guarantees sustainable mobility: On the one hand, the battery modules are used twice for stationary or mobile power storage systems. Compared to recycling, there is a great advantage of reusing the battery cells and modules: to avoid the energy-intensive process of dismantling the modules into the raw materials in order to produce new cells. On the other hand, the charging station for the e-rickshaw is fed with solar power instead of coal-fired power. The use of solar power is particularly useful in India, where global solar radiation is significantly higher than in Europe.
Next year, the e-rickshaws will be made available to women in India so that they can transport their goods to the market themselves. So far, they have mostly been dependent on intermediaries who bring the goods to the market or resell them. As the intermediaries have a monopoly-like position and set the prices, the income of the producers decreases. This problem affects women in particular, as they are responsible for working in the fields in India.
Next year the women are offered new opportunities with the e-rickshaw prototypes as part of a pilot test. After a driving instruction they will be able to drive their goods to the market themselves and sell them. Thus, they become independent of intermediaries and their financial returns can grow. In the long term, they also have the chance of greater economic autonomy.
In an earlier phase of the project, Nunam supported women by installing second-life power storage systems for grid stabilization in a community center run by the non-profit organization SVYM. So, the seamstresses could operate the sewing machines on site without any interference. Frequent power cuts had forced the women to interrupt their work on the sewing machines again and again, which led to a long working day and low productivity. Due to the power storage systems, now they can work without any technical interruptions, have a shorter working day and produce more saris than before.
