Although tuk-tuks remain the typical transport in Bangkok, the black smoke that they leave behind them is also, unfortunately, memorable. But not for much longer…
Thanks to air force engineer Morakot Charnsomruad’s concept, tuk-tuks could become part of the most coveted sustainable transports.
In fact, he has just unveiled a tuk-tuk prototype that runs purely off solar energy. Solar panels mounted on the roof feed a battery which allows the vehicle to reach a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), with a range of 80 km (almost 50 miles).
This is an eco-technological innovation that could actually save the future of this means of transport, as the Thai government has, since 2008, stopped distributing licences for them.
Nevertheless, the price and the associated costs of the solar-powered tuk-tuks remain genuine barriers to their deployment in Thailand. It’s a country that must refine its targets in terms of transport pollution within four years.
At 320,000 baht (the equivalent of €8,000), or almost twice as much as the 180,000 baht that a traditional tuk-tuk costs, this solar-powered vehicle will be difficult to impose upon the capital’s 8,000 drivers, whose income is already limited.
This is why Morakot Charnsomruad wants help from the government, as, in his opinion, the solar-powered tuk-tuk "will help to clean up" the country, and "everyone will want to drive it."
He is also looking for international support in order to bring his solar-powered auto-rickshaw to market. Several countries, such as the United States and the Netherlands, are already interested.
Today’s context is certainly a favourable one for the solar-powered tuk-tuks as many countries are attempting to invent new mobilities based mainly on the use of renewable energies.
For Tara Buakamsri, a Greenpeace campaigner: "Tuk-tuks could be the pioneers of a more efficient and less polluted transport system in Bangkok and the rest of the country".
