The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka is working closely with the Ministry of Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Power and Energy, together with the Department of Motor Traffic and the National Transport Commission to develop a project to mainstream e-mobility through the conversion of 500,000 Tuk-Tuks to electric vehicles (EVs) or e-Tuk-Tuks over a 5-year period.
The project aims to support the conversion of petrol three-wheelers to electric three-wheelers as a means for enhancing mobility as a driver of low-carbon, inclusive, equitable development pathways within Sri Lanka. The proposed three-phased project consists of an incubation phase, a demonstration phase and an acceleration phase. “Like many other global nations, Sri Lanka too is working towards adopting greener and cleaner approaches for a more sustainable and resilient future.
With the prevailing socio-economic crisis in the island, a shift towards adopting sustainable mobility approaches has been identified as a necessity for a green recovery process,” an official from UNDP said. The incubation phase will test the conversion process, the demonstration phase will support conversions and the acceleration phase will use market forces for conversion through concessional financing and infrastructure development.
The incubation phase will support the conversion of 200 petrol three-wheelers to electric three-wheelers.
The launch of the pilot project will be held on May 11, 1.30 PM onwards at the Department of Motor Traffic, Werahera, Boralesgamuwa. Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Bandula Gunawardane, State Minister of Transport, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota, Chairman, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Ranjith Sepala will participate in the event.
