Torque sensor based electrically assisted hybrid rickshaw-van with PV assistance and solar battery charging station

A significant percentage of population in Bangladesh is directly or indirectly dependent upon the traditional tri-wheeler rickshaw. In order to advance the lifestyle and modernize the traditional tri-wheeler, battery powered rickshaws were introduced and thus it gained enormous popularity. However, after a few months, the Bangladesh government decided to ban import and assembly of electric vehicles, as it consumed energy from the already overloaded grid. Aiming to modernize the traditional tri-wheeler and make efficient use of renewable energy, Control & Applications Research Centre (CARC), BRAC University has proposed a field tested solution with the use of PV panel, torque sensor pedal and solar battery charging station to make the whole system independent of national grid. The paper describes the design and implementation of the PV array and torque sensor into the system and findings from the field tests along with the implementation of the solar battery charging station. It was found that 73% energy is saved when both PV array and torque sensor were integrated into the system. The distance travelled by the rickshaw-van was around 2.8 times greater than normal battery operated rickshaws.