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By Charumini de Silva
The Government is stepping up efforts to boost electric mobility, whilst reducing fossil fuel usage to encourage renewable energy going forward.
In tandem with the Government’s push to encourage and facilitate electric mobility, the Department of Motor Traffic has called for local and international companies to present their knowhow on converting fuel-run three-wheelers into electric ones.
“We have called for all reputed companies to exhibit their technology in a presentation format on the conversion of the internal combustion engine in three-wheels to electric ones,” a top official of the department told the Daily FT.
On 8 August, the Cabinet of Ministers approved to amend the Motor Traffic Act, to include provisions and enable the registration of electric three-wheelers.
“Electric vehicles are one of the promising technologies that could reduce fossil fuel-based emissions and extensively reduce the fuel bill for Sri Lanka as a country 100% dependent on imports,” he pointed out.
Currently, one-third of Sri Lanka’s primary energy is for transport fuels, which are all imported and the shift towards electric vehicles could significantly reduce this dependence.
He said the prospective local and international companies need to have experience in the conversion of internal combustion-engine to three-wheelers to electric ones or similar activities.
In addition, the firms must have a sound financial capacity to import necessary equipment and material for the conversion process on a bulk scale and must ensure all of it comply with the national standards as well.
He said a technical panel comprising officials from relevant national agencies will assess the conversion technology and shortlist companies after evaluating the suitability of the technology application, financial, and technical capacities.
“The conversions should comply with the relevant local standards,” he emphasised.
He also said the service providers who meet the criteria will be invited to a meeting on 30 August to present their technology at the BMICH.
Earlier this month, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) also called for Expression of Interest (EOIs) from firms to establish solar-assisted charging stations, the facility should be equipped with applicable gear for light vehicles, bikes, and three-wheelers, as per the latest guidelines issued by the PUCSL.
The Authority is planning to set up at least 10 charging stations per province, located by the side of the “A” grade roads or highways with a minimum capacity of 100 KW solar plant, to charge at least three vehicles at once.
Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Gunawardena recently said that the Government will formulate new policies to regulate the three-wheel industry through the Ministry, under the purview of the National Transport Commission (NTC), whilst noting that the policies necessary to regulate the industry will be submitted as a fresh Cabinet paper within a month.
