Technologies influencing alternative means of transportation have been expanding in recent\nyears due to increasing urbanization and motorization. In this paper, a solar powered electric\nauto-rickshaw (SPEA) is designed and developed for Indian conditions. The vehicle developed is\ncomprehensively analyzed techno-economically for its viability in the Indian market. The performance\nanalysis of SPEA results in an optimal charging rate of 2 kWh per day with an average solar irradiance\nof 325 W/m2 on a typical sunny day. The discharging characteristics are studied based on different\nloading conditions. The vehicle achieved a maximum speed of 21.69 km/h with battery discharge rate\nof 296Wat 90 kg load and also reached a maximum discharge rate of 540Wat 390 kg loading with a\nmaximum speed of 12.11 km/h. Environmental analysis of SPEA indicated that the yearly CO2 emissions\nof 1777 kg, 1987 kg and 1938 kg from using Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and\ngasoline engines respectively can be mitigated using SPEA. The financial analysis of SPEA concluded\nthat the investor�s payback duration is 24.44% less compared to a gasoline-run vehicle. Socio-Economic\nanalysis of SPEA discussed its significant advantages and showed 15.74% and 0.85% increase in yearly\nincome over gasoline driven and battery driven vehicles.
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