Hyundai unveils electric rickshaws "tailored to India's unique environment"
Car manufacturer Hyundai has revealed concept designs for two electric vehicles that offer a futuristic alternative to the rickshaws used across India.
The three-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi aim to provide a practical and low-emissions solution for urban transportation.
Hyundai partnered with Indian motorcycle manufacturer TVS Motor Company on the project, with the aim of "providing sustainable mobility solutions that align with India's evolving infrastructure".
According to Hyundai design head SangYup Lee, the proposals incorporate modern upgrades to the motor rickshaws that are a ubiquitous sight on India's roads and "reimagine the iconic three-wheeler" for a fossil-free future.
Both vehicles are "tailored to India's unique environment" and share key features, including an angled windshield for better visibility, enhanced collision protection, a flat floor and an extended wheelbase to improve comfort and ergonomics.
The compact three-wheeler concept is designed for manoeuvring through narrow city streets, supporting its use as a solution for commuting, transporting goods or as a rapid-response emergency vehicle.
The vehicle's stretched wheelbase provides more legroom and a better seating position, while a foldable seat creates space for wheelchair users. Large tires provide a more comfortable ride and a towing hook allows for quick recovery from potholes.
In response to India's unique climate, the design incorporates a height-adjustable chassis that can be raised to navigate waterlogged streets during the monsoon season.
As part of an ongoing process of material exploration and review, the designers are testing ideas including water-resistant finishes for internal surfaces and heat-reducing gloss black paint that could be applied to the roof to reduce heat conductivity.
The choice of Aakaashi Blue for the exterior is a direct reference to the colour of the Indian Ocean and the sky.
A practical focus was adopted for the design of the interior, which incorporates adaptable storage, a compact and intuitive information display, a phone holder and reconfigurable pegboard-style panels.
Hyundai and TVS Motor are currently in discussions about potentially producing and rolling out the three-wheeler vehicle in India, while the four-wheeler is under review to determine its global potential.
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967 and is currently the world's third-largest carmaker in terms of production. Previously, the company presented innovative electric concept vehicles ranging from a foldable scooter that can be charged in a car to a walking car with robotic legs that could be used as a first responder in natural disaster zones.
In a 2022 interview, Lee told Dezeen that he believes autonomous driving will lead to cars becoming more like living spaces.
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