Auto fair brings a students’ special

‘Ride to School’, a concept auto, could be the answer to safe and cheap transport for school students.

‘Ride to School’, a concept auto, could be the answer to safe and cheap transport for school students.

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The auto, which has been developed by Electrotherm, is on display at the 10th Auto Expo in Pragati Maidan.

“Parents have to shell out a lot of money for transportation to school for their children. Since the price of fuel is so high, even schools can’t do much. We have designed this auto keeping in mind the need for cheap transportation for school students,” said Ashav K. Jadawala, manager-marketing, Electrotherm (India) Limited-Auto Division

In November last, the Delhi Transport Corporation hiked the fare charged for school buses from Rs 25 per kilometre to Rs 40 per kilometre.

This translated into a substantial increase of Rs 200 to Rs 300 in the bus fare fee, which hit parents whose children attended the less expensive schools and relied on DTC buses for transport.

The battery-operated auto has a maximum speed of 45 km/hr and the range per charge is 70-75 km.

The maximum power is 5 kilowatt and it can run up to four hours at a stretch without charge.

The auto, which can accommodate eight children and one driver, will cost between Rs 1 and 1.5 lakh.

“The limited number of seats means it will prevent overcrowding. Since it can run only up to 4 hours per charge the driver will not deviate from the route and this will ensure children are safe and reach home on time,” said Jadawala. “It also helps check pollution.”

The auto could take two years to hit the market.