Fueling the Future: Key Technologies in the Transition to Electric Tuk-Tuks

By Owais AliReviewed by Lexie CornerFeb 25 2025

Electric tuk-tuks represent a transformative solution in urban mobility, particularly in developing regions where traditional paratransit modes dominate transportation networks.

These three-wheeled vehicles combine electric propulsion with compact design, offering an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-powered auto rickshaws.¹ 

Advances in battery technology, lightweight materials, and innovative energy storage solutions are driving their adoption, enhancing efficiency and performance in diverse urban environments.

Image Credit: P.O.H.N/Shutterstock.com

Battery Technologies and Energy Solutions

Batteries power electric tuk-tuks, determining their range, charging time, and operational reliability. The choice of battery technology significantly influences vehicle cost, performance, and environmental impact, making it a critical factor in electric tuk-tuk design and adoption.

Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries dominate the Southeast Asian market because they are inexpensive and rely on well-established technology. These battery systems typically consist of four or five 12-volt batteries connected in series, providing 48 or 60 volts to power the motor.

While economically viable, these batteries have a restricted specific energy of 30–50 Wh/kg and a power density of 180–400 W/kg, resulting in a limited range of 80 kilometers per charge and long charging times of six to ten hours.²

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion technology offers a superior alternative, with specific energy ratings of 100-250 Wh/kg, power densities of 800-2000 W/kg, and charging times of 30-60 minutes—significantly outperforming lead-acid batteries. These batteries also eliminate the memory effect, preventing capacity loss from incomplete discharge cycles and improving long-term reliability.

Currently, numerous Li-ion battery options are available for electric tuk-tuks, such as the 51.2V-105Ah lithium iron phosphate battery by Liptax, which provides a range of 100–120 kilometers per charge, sufficient for daily urban and short-distance transportation needs.^3,4

What Is the Difference Between Lithium and Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Sodium-Nickel Chloride Batteries

Sodium-nickel chloride (ZEBRA) batteries provide another option, offering energy densities of 90-120 Wh/kg and resilience against overcharging and deep discharge. However, their high operating temperature requirements (270-350 °C) necessitate continuous operation or auxiliary heating, consuming 90 Wh of power.⁴

Solar Energy Integration

Solar power integration has emerged as an innovative solution for extending battery life and operational efficiency.

A study published in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications integrated a 380 W solar panel with a modified Landsman converter and a sensor-less BLDC motor drive with regenerative braking in an electric tuk-tuk. This configuration eliminated the need for position sensors and low-pass filters, reducing current ripple while utilizing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) through incremental conductance algorithms.

The setup maintained efficiency even under partial shading, resulting in extended range, improved energy utilization, and enhanced reliability in varying conditions.⁵

Materials Used in Tuk-Tuk Design

Electric tuk-tuks are designed for urban environments but must withstand the challenges of daily road operation.

Aluminum

A robust chassis from high-strength materials such as iron or aluminum alloys ensures durability and passenger safety. Additionally, lightweight yet durable materials for body panels optimize weight distribution and reduce energy consumption.⁶

Aluminum is a preferred material due to its durability and weight advantages, being approximately one-third the weight of iron, with a density of around 2.7 g/cm³ compared to iron's 7.9 g/cm³. This significant reduction in vehicle mass can improve energy efficiency by up to 30 %, lowering energy consumption, operating costs, and environmental impact.^1,7

Carbon Fiber Composites

Modern electric tuk-tuks increasingly incorporate advanced materials to optimize weight, strength, and cost. For example, carbon fiber composites offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, weighing only 70 % of aluminum. Their electrical non-conductivity also prevents interference and short circuits, enhancing their suitability for electric vehicles.

Additionally, multilayer composite laminates provide superior energy absorption, enabling weight reductions of up to 60 % while maintaining or improving crash safety standards.⁸

Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites are increasingly used in automotive design for their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, which improve efficiency and performance.

D2H Advanced Technologies recently developed a 1,058-pound jute-polypropylene tuk-tuk chassis with 80–90 % of the stiffness of glass-based long-fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composites while being lighter, more sustainable, and cost-effective. The reduced weight enhances energy efficiency, while the material’s lower production costs make it a viable option for affordable, zero-emission electric tuk-tuks.⁹

Recent Developments in Energy Storage Solutions

Battery Swapping

Tuk-tuks are designed to be as lightweight as possible, limiting space for large batteries; however, smaller batteries offer limited range and require frequent charging.

Battery-swapping technology has been developed as a potential solution, enhancing operational efficiency by enabling rapid energy replenishment, reducing initial vehicle costs, and mitigating range anxiety. This system enables rapid energy replenishment, lowers initial vehicle costs, and mitigates range anxiety.

Power Global's eZee battery module exemplifies modern swapping solutions, integrating smart monitoring via Android-enabled smartphones and cloud-based management. The technology is particularly relevant in India, where government mandates aim for full three-wheeler electrification by 2023.

Battery swapping stations offer additional benefits, such as grid backup capabilities and improving power reliability in developing regions. The modular design allows multiple charging options, including swap stations, home outlets, and conventional EV chargers, enhancing flexibility, efficiency, and user convenience while reducing infrastructure dependence.¹⁰

Solar Powered Tuk-Tuks

Roof-mounted solar panels provide a sustainable solution for continuous battery charging in electric tuk-tuks, minimizing reliance on charging stations.

Recently, Zetech University introduced a solar-powered tuk-tuk to the Kenyan market, featuring a roof-mounted solar panel that enabled a 100 km battery range and a 60 km/h top speed, reducing fuel costs and emissions while improving accessibility in rural areas.

Unlike conventional electric vehicles that require stationary charging, the integrated solar panel allows continuous battery charging during operation, enhancing efficiency and usability.¹¹

The Electric Tuk-Tuk Market

Electric tuk-tuks offer a sustainable solution to urban traffic congestion and emissions reduction. Although current limitations exist, advancements in battery chemistry and charging technologies can enhance the range and performance of electric tuk-tuks, making their widespread adoption a crucial step toward reducing emissions and fossil fuel dependence.

To learn more about the rise of electric tuk-tuks in South Asia and their increasing relevance to the global transportation market, please visit:

• Tuk-Tuk Electrification: Making Transportation Across Asia More Sustainable

To read more about battery technologies, please see the following resources:

• Gelatin–Organic Acid-Based Biodegradable Batteries for Stretchable Electronics
• What Are Proton Batteries and How Do They Work?
• Improving Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance Using a Red Algae-Derived Polysaccharide Binder
• Nanoporous Helium-Silicon Co-Deposited Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Graphene Batteries: Market Trends and Growth Potential

References and Further Reading

1. Doley, D., et al. (2023). Sustainability and Safety Implications of Electric Three-Wheeler Paratransit Modes: A Critical Literature Review on E-Rickshaws. Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382255922_Sustainability_and_Safety_Implications_of_Electric_Three-Wheeler_Paratransit_Modes_A_Critical_Literature_Review_on_E-Rickshaws
2. Rabbi, Z. (2024). Dissecting "battery-rickshaws": How do they work? [Online] The Daily Star. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/dissecting-battery-rickshaws-how-do-they-work-3703561
3. Litpax. (2024). Best Lithium Ion Electric Rickshaw Battery. [Online] Lipax. Available at: https://litpaxtechnology.com/Electric-Rickshaw-Battery
4. Iclodean, C., Varga, B., Burnete, N., Cimerdean, D., Jurchiş, B. (2017). Comparison of different battery types for electric vehicles. IOP conference series: materials science and engineering. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/252/1/012058
5. Saha, B., Singh, B., Sen, A. (2022). Solar PV integration to e-rickshaw with regenerative braking and sensorless control. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2022.3201063
6. Sethi, B., Harihar Sahu, S., Kanta Sahoo, K., Kumar Mahato, S. (2022). Experimental study on electric–Rickshaw. Materials Today: Proceedings, 90, 234-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.06.172
7. MachineMFG. (2024). Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminum Parts in Automotive Manufacturing. [Online] MachineMFG. Available at: https://shop.machinemfg.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-aluminum-parts-in-automotive-manufacturing/
8. Khan, F., Hossain, N., Mim, JJ., Rahman, SM., Iqbal, MJ., Billah, M., Chowdhury, MA. (2024). Advances of composite materials in automobile applications – A review. Journal of Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jer.2024.02.017
9. ACMA. (2020). Composites Contribute to Cost-Efficient Utility Vehicle. [Online] ACMA. Available at: https://acmanet.org/composites-contribute-to-cost-efficient-utility-vehicle
10. St. John, J. (2021). Battery swapping: The killer app for electrifying India's millions of tuk-tuks? [Online] Canary Media. Available at: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/electric-vehicles/battery-swapping-the-killer-app-for-electrifying-indias-millions-of-tuk-tuks
11. Zetech University. (2024). Boost to transport sector as Zetech University unveils solar-powered tuktuk. [Online] Zetech University. Available at: https://www.zetech.ac.ke/index.php/latest-events/boost-to-transport-sector-as-zetech-university-unveils-solar-powered-tuktuk

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