Lighter Battery Packs Extend Rickshaw Range in Dhaka

A passenger vehicle constrained by battery weight

A vehicle assembler in Dhaka began converting passenger three-wheelers to electric drive in 2024. The vehicles used a 1.2 kW hub motor and originally carried five 12 V, 100 Ah lead-acid batteries. At 152 kg, the battery group placed a substantial load on the rear bodywork; cracks had developed in the sheet metal after six months of service.

The operating requirement was approximately 80 km across two daily shifts. Battery weight, installation space and the midday charging window therefore mattered as much as nominal capacity.

A 58.5 kg lithium replacement

The project adopted a 64 V, 6.4 kWh lithium battery system. Total battery mass fell to 58.5 kg. The M8 terminal arrangement allowed the existing wiring to be retained, keeping the electrical connection familiar to the assembly team.

Range and delivery results

Tested driving range increased from 65 km to 96 km. Drivers returned to the station for a four-hour midday charging period using a 15 A charger before starting the second shift. The longer range gave the operator more room to complete the daily route without carrying the former battery weight.

The initial order comprised 240 sets shipped through Chittagong at a project price of US$960 per set, FOB, with UN38.3 documentation and an MSDS. For a passenger three-wheeler, pack mass and vehicle integration influence commercial driving range alongside the energy rating.