Bajaj Auto has unveiled the RE electric auto
rickshaw at MOVE 2018. The Bajaj RE electric looks notably more stylish compared to the
standard version. It has a unique paint scheme with the upper body (and the
hood) in orange and the lower body in grey. The front-end is completely
different, with gloss black fender, gloss black cladding and sleek headlamps.
There’s a dash of blue in the “Bajaj RE” logo to signify the rickshaw belonging
to electrified vehicles. Inside, there’s a digital instrument cluster to give a
high-tech vibe. The seats have a two-tone grey & orange colour scheme to
complement the exterior.
Bajaj Auto hasn’t released the maximum power and
torque of the RE electric’s motor. It has, however, released other important
specifications. The electric motor gets its juice from 48-volt Lithium-ion
batteries, which are swappable. Using the optional onboard charger, a full
charge takes 6 hours.
The RE electric features regenerative braking for
enhanced efficiency. As for the driving range, Bajaj Auto claims it can go up
to 120 km on a full charge. The top speed is 45 km/h, which is fair enough for
its purpose. The four-seat (driver + 3 passengers) eco-friendly vehicle has a
kerb weight of 400 kg.
Reports last year said that Bajaj Auto had advanced
the launch of an e-rickshaw from 2020 to 2018. Today's development suggests
that they were referring to the RE electric seen here. There’s no word on the
pricing or a more specific launch timeline at the moment.
