Is Solar Rickshaw really a Panacea? Dangers of Media Hype
Picture: Soleckshaw: Solar Powered Rickshaw being piloted in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi
My big fear from media in relation to technology is hype. Media hype completely puts things out of perspective. In the case of technology, I am afriad that such euphoria will kill the technology with raised expectations that will not be fulfilled. I fear the same for Delhi’s ’soleckshaw.’ The soleckshaw is being presented as the grand, all-in-one solution to all kinds of things: from respect for the rickshaw-pullers to global warming. Soleckshaw has also been discussed here on Ecowordly and Planetsave in earlier postings.
Soleckshaw’s obvious advantages seem to be speed, ergonomics (especially for the driver), better balance and strength, looks and accessories. If things go well, it could help a lot: the solar rickshaw is undoubtedly more humane than the existing human-powered rickshaw; it would encourage people to use public transport (like the Delhi metro spreading its tentacles to distant ends of the metropole of Delhi) by adding end-point to end-point strength to trains that otherwise leave people to fend-for solutions at the two ends. The big benefits will, probably, come from providing viable alternatives to private cars, scooters, motorcycles or small buses that shuttle people from metro stations and are both the cause and victims of traffic jams. Naturally, its biggest gain would be a humane-gain: reducing back-breaking labor.
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But caution must be exerted not to overrate these advantages of the solar rickshaw. Per se, the current cycle-rickshaw does not use any fossil fuel nor does it generate any pollution, the two often-cited gains from the soleckshaw. After all, it works on the principles of a bicycle.
It must be remembered that the soleckshaw is still in a trial phase. In the absence of a manufacturer lined-up for mass-production of this CSIR (Center for Science and Industrial Research) prototype, predictions about its replacing cars and taking over the globe seem naive. Matching state-run CSIR’s ’socialistic’ values seems a tall order. A manufacturer is called for not only with a similar vision but also with the same level of commitment to the society and to the poor: A manufacturer who will not be tempted by the highest profits, who will be innovative about subsidizing the poorer soleckshaw owners through their earnings of carbon credits, who will look for creative ways like inviting the FM-radio people to underwrite some of the costs for soleckshaw owners, who will pull-together different societal resources to benefit the poor rickshaw-pullers, say through advertising as the CSIR hopes.
The questions of respect for the rickshaw-pullers, their exploitation by the police, and their dignity of the labor are more fundamental societal changes that need reformed ways of thinking and treating the poor and labor-classes. This is an area for attention and work for NGOs like Manushi.
The soleckshaw is touted to be the solution to “India’s traffic woes.” But, again, by itself, it could –just like the cycle-rickshaw– add to traffic problems by adding to the mixed traffic, made-up of varied vehicles interfering with the free-movement and speeds of each other. A better problem-redressal calls for clearly provided lanes for different grades of traffic. It is a design issue; it is an enforcement issue.
Picture: Rickshaws are the primary mode of goods transportaion in narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk
Ignoring these fundamental traffic problems is overlooking the root-causes. Delhi government’s 2006 ban on Chandni Chowk rickshaws — in name of clogging traffic in that as-it-is-dense wholesale market — seems ridiculous; it is no better than burying your head in sand. In the narrow, crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk that had no room for transporting goods by lorries or trucks, the push-carts and rickshaws were the only solution; they helped transport goods worth thousands of dollars each day. To the small, domestic/ non-commercial shoppers (attracted by cheap, wholesale prices of the market) the cycle -rickshaw was an oasis in the desert, lugging them and their bulky-buys only for pennies. It is baffling that the government (a popularly elected one at that) was even able to set aside concerns of mass-unemployment that such a ban would have created.
Picture Credits: Solar Rickshaw (Courtsey: Delhi Walla), Rickshaw for goods transportation (Courtsey: Sputnik Mania via Flickr.com under Creative Commons License)
Thank you for writing this post– and for EcoWorldly for publishing it.
I couldn’t agree more. I think the sad reality is that most eco and energy bloggers are not trained in either field. There is a noticeable lack of knowledge of energy science and most posts are aimed at emotional engagement of web readers who prefer consumable eco ideas. The stickiest stories are often shallow and ineffective ‘consuming green’ solutions.
So many recent examples- like the solar powered Chinese car with panels strapped on top. It was a gimmick but ‘green’ blogger went crazy as if China had found a ’solution’. They don’t understand the engineering of automobiles or energy density.
Or the recent platinum free alkaline fuel cell which many eco-energy bloggers wrote about for auto applications. Instead of being able to distinguish between different types of fuel cell applications.
Or bloggers confusing electric motors for energy storage devices. So many examples of badly written hype energy / eco stories across the web in the hope that we find ‘one solution’.
Thank you for addressing the hype within the blogosphere, and for your project efforts. I’ve spent two years living in India and Nepal (speak Nepali) and appreciate your desire to address root issues within South Asia.
Agree that it’s time to address the problems at a deeper (systems) level and not be satisfied with stories that just sound good.
Would also invite you to peek at our site (outside the GO Network, which I do respect tremendously!). I have spent 10 years working on energy industry projects and hold a masters degree in Futures Studies from the Univ of Houston. So our site takes the long view of energy, and promise that there is no hype.
Best
Garry Golden
Editor
The Energy Roadmap
http://www.theenergyroadmap.com
It is true that media attention can sometimes cause a level of topic weariness and, sometimes, a certain level of misinformation. However, I find that it is best to listen to and read a variety of sources to increase my level of knowledge on any topic of interest. We must also be greatful that information is put “out there”, and trust that serious and knowledgeable persons in both the public and private sectors are encouraged publicly and monetarily to research and develop products and services which best suit the real needs of people and our world.
It is also true that there are generally multiple levels to any problem. Over time and with participation in working toward common goals, we continue to strive for solutions. Thank you for this article.
The fact that the Solar Rickswahs were just a piece of show-off was stated the very second day after its launch! I had missed the launch and could not get some images of these solar powered rickshaws the day they were launched and could not add them to my post
( http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/10/12/solar-powered-cycle-rickshaws-launched-in-delhis-oldest-and-busiest-market ), - the one added being from another blog.
So, I went to the area where these rickshaws were supposed to be plying three days after the launch and I could not find a single of them there! I was told that those either had charging problems or could not take the load.
I kept going back a couple of more times, but still could not catch a spot a single one to shoot.
[...] via Treehugger Via: Ecolocalizer and India’s Department of Science & Technology [...]
[...] plans to adopt the Solar Rickshaw, like the ones in Delhi, in other cities such as Chandigarhmakes one wonder about the misplaced focus and euphoria of [...]
Every invention at the beginning is always ridiculed. And yes it should be. Because the ridicule/criticism open the scope for improvements.
I do sincerely hope that this invention transforms into something wonderful and marvelous.
Dr Vandana , nice article.
But I would not want manufacturers or business men to become missionaries. They are there for business to make profit and to employ people. Every human being has a inherent greed inside us to be better than others. I would want manufacturers and businessmen to make profit so that they can then come up with new technologies and inventions. Nothing in this world should be for free.