KAHRTOUM, May 7, Sudanese entrepreneur Mohamed Smir proudly watches as workers assemble garishly coloured rickshaws. These rickshaws are unique in North Africa because they are powered by electricity.
Three-wheeler vehicles are used in Sudan for transport. For passengers, there are tuktuk rickshaws and motorbike tricycles that can carry goods. In Khartoum alone, there are tens of thousands of motorbike tricycles.
However, Sudan is now in a severe economic crisis. This was made worse by political unrest that followed a military coup last Oct.
The people who use the fuel-run Rickshaws are in pain and they know the value we offer, said Samir, a 44-year-old engineer at the North Khartoum factory.
We are here to help.
There are also important environmental impacts.
In a 2020 report, the United Nations Environment Programme warned that smokey petrol-powered vehicles not only fuel climate change but also cause significant noise pollution and air pollution.
It said that three-wheeler emissions reduce visibility, damage vegetation, and can lead to respiratory diseases in people.
Samir claims that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for Electric Vehicles include the fight against poverty and the protection of health, as well as the protection of the environment.
He also said that it makes less noise.
Daily Income Doubled
Samir had to overcome many obstacles in order to open his factory, but now business is booming. He has sold over 100 tricycles and 12 passenger scooters since opening.
Since the coup, fuel costs have more than doubled. In addition, drivers have been queueing for hours at filling stations to top-up their tanks due to repeated fuel shortages.
Drivers complain about earning less than they spend.
Bakry Mohamed, a fruit vendor, sold his old petrol-powered scooter-tuk to buy an electric tricycle.
Mohamed said that the vehicle used to cost more than what it brought in. He uses his vehicle to transport a stall of fruits along the streets. I also had to worry about where to get fuel and how to change the engine oil.
Mohamed is proud to show off his electric tricycle.
Mohamed stated that it was extremely cost-efficient. There are no fuel queuing lines anymore. It runs all week, even though I only charge it once. My daily income doubled.
Some drivers have difficulty switching to electric motors, but Samir stated that there have been no major complaints. The batteries are also less maintenance than those with fuel-run engines.
He said that it was brand new and that they were not used to electric-run cars.
Sunshine Power
The three-wheelers take eight hours to fully charge. A tuk-tuk tricycle can cover 80-100 kms, while a scooter can cover between 100-120 kms. Rickshaws range is greater at between 100-120 kms.
Despite the economic crisis, Sudan’s electricity supply has also suffered, with frequent power outages.
The government raised electricity prices in January. Residents saw an approximately 500% increase in their bills.
Samir however stated that electric rickshaes are still more efficient than alternative vehicles and are far cheaper to operate.
Samir stated that the cost of charging the battery is still lower than the cost of fuel. A single electric charge costs less than half a litre.
Others, gazing upwards to Sudan’s year-round sun, have also escaped from dependence on the grid.
Amjad Hamdan Hameidan bought several electric-powered Rickshaws and now has his three-wheeler on-the-go.
Hameidan stated that flexible solar panels are what I use. We place them on top the ricksha during driving to keep the batteries charged.
Samir claims that his factory helps Sudan keep up with the fast-developing world.
Samir stated that everything that runs on fuel will soon be replaced by electricity. We now have the opportunity to keep pace with the rest. ETX-Studio
