The Heavy Industries Ministry has sought early approval of standards for ‘quadricycles,’ a class of vehicle that can potentially replace three-wheeled auto-rickshaws on Indian roads. Various companies, including Bajaj Auto, have plans to introduce such vehicles.
Standards, regulations
In a letter to the Road Transport and Highways Minister, C.P. Joshi, Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel urged him to take suitable steps “to expedite the process of establishing standards/regulations for quadricycles so as to initiate its introduction at the earliest.” The matter is under the consideration of the Automotive Industry Standard Committee, which finalises standards for new vehicles.
According to Patel, though quadricycles are not seen on Indian roads yet, they are in vogue in several European countries such as France and Germany.
“In these countries, full-fledged standards already exist with respect to this class of vehicles, which can be readily adopted, with modification, to suit Indian conditions,” his letter said.
Patel said at present the bulk of public transportation in India’s urban centres, apart from buses, was accounted for by three-wheeled autos, which are not the best of vehicles in terms of safety and emissions. As cities grow, both in size and complexity, it is imperative to upgrade the quality of public transportation, providing modern and efficient vehicles with four wheels, having higher safety and better emission parameters, he added.
Last-mile connectivity
“Quardicycles have the potential to replace three-wheeled autos for both intra-city, urban commute in form of the last mile connectivity as well as providing an alternative for carrying small loads in urban and peri-urban areas,” Patel suggested. The Heavy Industries Ministry is the nodal Ministry for the automobile industry.
Meanwhile, the apex body of the automobile sector, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), refused to comment on the development. However, industry sources said that if the Government thought it right to bring in quardicycles to replace three-wheeled autos, then “we have nothing to say. We have to follow what the Government says.”
A Quadricycle manufactured by Bajaj Auto was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo last year. Christened RE60, the four-wheel vehicle is awaiting launch once it gets Government clearance.
The vehicle has a 214cc engine and weighs 450 kg. The Quadricycle is expected to give a mileage of 35-40 kmpl of petrol.
The company spent more than three years developing this vehicle from its design platform and Bajaj Auto says the vehicle may also come with CNG, diesel and electric options in the future.