Quetta Electrician Demonstrates Solar‑Powered Rickshaw as Cost‑Effective Transport Alternative

QUETTA: A rickshaw built from reclaimed components has become a regular presence on the streets of Quetta. For electrician Noor Muhammad, the appeal lies not in the attention it receives but in the fuel he no longer needs to purchase.

The three‑wheeled vehicle draws power from solar panels mounted on its roof, and when solar energy is insufficient it can be charged from a standard household outlet. Muhammad uses it to transport his three children to school, though it is not yet registered for commercial passenger service.

It serves as a pilot for a broader initiative. Pakistan aims for electric vehicles to represent 30 % of new vehicle sales by 2030 and has earmarked subsidies in the 2025‑26 fiscal year to support over 3,000 electric rickshaws. The recent economic survey reports that manufacturers produced 1.43 million two‑ and three‑wheelers in the first nine months of the year, underscoring a market where affordable alternatives to gasoline could be significant.

Balochistan, whose capital is Quetta, has included electric rickshaws, buses and charging infrastructure in its proposed urban transport strategy. The feasibility of these plans for working drivers hinges on vehicle cost, passenger range, and the ability to register them for commercial operation.

“I previously spent Rs3,000 ($10) each week on fuel for my motorbike, but now I can save that amount,” Muhammad, 35, told Arab News.

Muhammad constructed the vehicle in 2018 by acquiring the body of a dismantled rickshaw from a scrapyard. He incorporated components from a 70 cc motorcycle, mounted four solar panels on the roof, and installed a battery under the driver’s seat. He estimates the total cost at Rs200,000, roughly $722 at current exchange rates.

He claims a full charge enables a range of up to 120 km, a distance that Arab News could not independently verify. The specified panel voltage and battery details do not allow calculation of the system’s electricity generation or storage capacity.

“When I ride my electric rickshaw, people become delighted, watch it with joy, and often take pictures,” he said.

Muhammad envisions converting other vehicles as well. “Several rickshaw drivers have contacted me, expressing interest in converting their fuel‑powered rickshaws to electric models, and I responded confidently that ‘I can do it’,” he said.

Naimatullah Tareen, secretary of the Quetta Regional Transport Authority, said the provincial government will support drivers wishing to convert petrol‑powered rickshaws and will issue route permits for electric three‑wheelers. He also noted that 27 electric buses have been approved for the city, though no implementation timeline was provided.

Local driver Faiz Muhammad, however, doubts that a small electric vehicle like Noor Muhammad’s can carry sufficient passengers or respond promptly in emergencies.

“The issue with battery‑powered electric rickshaws is that they can accommodate only two or three passengers, whereas conventional four‑stroke rickshaws can carry six,” he said.

For now, Noor Muhammad’s rickshaw remains a private family vehicle.

“I have not applied for registration, so I am not using it for public commuting. However, if I employ it for commercial rides, it will function for that purpose as well,” he said.

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