Rivers overflowing with plastic, cities covered in smog and bizarre weather patterns spotted round the globe, indicate that the world is gradually becoming more and more polluted, adversely affecting its inhabitants. Thus, it is vital to address the pollution issue immediately. With the aim of mobilizing and supporting young people who are turning the pollution problem into a business opportunity, UN Environment held the Asia-Pacific Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge, where Sasiranga De Silva from Sri Lanka won an award in the Low Carbon Mobility category. This is for developing a mechanism to convert existing trishaws into electric powertrains, which will ensure generation of zero tailpipe emissions.
Speaking of the importance of De Silva’s development, UN Environment’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Dechen Tsering says, the relative affordability of this conversion kit is advantageous both for environment and low income drivers. Tsering says, trishaws, while loved across the region, are highly polluting, and contribute to air pollution, climate change and noise. Converting these vehicles to electric power trains will keep them on the road and the drivers employed, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from internal combustion engines. However, this does not happen often.
“A big reason why we don’t see more conversions is the cost, but De Silva’s kit is relatively affordable and the payback time is short.
This makes his start up good for the environment and for low-income drivers, since there is no need to compromise earnings for the environment. It pays to go green,” he says. De Silva has been researching in this area for over five years and converting small cars and trishaws, in his capacity as a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa. “ When UN Environment called for proposals for this startup challenge, I thought of applying,” he says.
Carbon dioxide emission reductions
Explaining the main reasons which led him to focus on trishaws, De Silva says compared to four stroke trishaws, two stroke trishaws have a higher carbon emission.
However, there is a significant number of two stroke trishaws on the roads. He says, the conversion mechanism includes removing the powertrain of the trishaw, which is the engine and supporting systems, as well as the drivetrain, which includes mechanical components taking energy from the engine to the wheels.
Then, the engine is replaced with a motor, drivetrain is changed selecting suitable gear ration and the fuel tank is replaced with a lithium ion battery pack.
“Different control mechanisms are added to control motor and charging of the vehicle. Power is supplied from battery to the motor. Systems are also installed for electrical and mechanical safety,” he says.
By converting two stroke trishaws to electric, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 60 percent, De Silva says.
Since the power to charge electric vehicles comes from the national grid, the calculation is made by considering the amount of carbon dioxide produced to generate 1kwh in the national grid.
“ There are roughly about 300,000 two stroke trishaws. Converting half of them to electric would contribute to reduction of annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 300,000 tons.
Therefore, this mechanism helps reduce the global warming factor,” he says. He adds, the non requisite of regular maintenance, comparative cost effectiveness of electricity and the short return time of investment makes the conversion worthwhile.
Speaking of the percentage of carbon emissions that would be reduced via this mechanism, Tsering says, De Silva has estimated that 295,701 tons of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions could be saved through his start up over the next six years, but of course, they would have to see how many trishaws opt to make the conversion.
Technology tackles climate change
De Silva says, a modified system can be used to convert other non-electric vehicles into electric vehicles. However, he says, this will be more complex since there won’t be a single fit for all vehicles and they have to be modified based on the vehicle type.
Tsering further says, transport is one of the main sources of carbon emissions causing climate change. “Disruptive technologies like electric vehicles give us the chance to maintain the lifestyle we’re used to with fewer emissions. Front -runner businesses like De Silva’s are extremely important to get the momentum going,” he says.
The three categories of the Asia-Pacific Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge has 12 winners, from over 180 participants from 24 countries. UN Environment is working with a number of partners who support the goals of this competition.
These include Japan’s Ministry of Environment, SWITCH-Asia (supported by the European Commission), One Planet, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, the Thai National Science and Technology Development Agency and Sasin Entrepreneurship Center, who are giving crucial support to the winners.
Tsering says, most of the 12 winners are working on solutions that help tackle climate change, and a number of projects work on energy efficiency, which is important because it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases humans generate. Other startups, like De Silva’s ’s project, are helping make transport greener. “Anyone who has been in traffic can see and taste the air pollution that is causing climate change.
Imagine if all of the trishaws on the road were electric. Or if more people were sharing space in their car instead of driving separately. Or if electric vehicles could get their power from the sun.
It’s easy to see how these types of changes could help reduce our emission,” he says.