Since 2014 the company Ecoenergy SAC has been dealing with the topic of electro mobility in Pucallpa, Peru. The main focus of research has been: 1. the great amount of mototaxis in Pucallpa (right now about 52.000), 2. environmental issues (noise pollution and CO2 emissions), 3. social criteria (the mototaxis offer about 52.000 places of employment), 4. health aspects of the drivers (continuous exposure of exhaust gases and noise as well as vibration and heat).
After identification of potential solutions, Ecoenergy SAC researched the technical opportunities to improve these four aspects. Two different alternatives were found to introduce e-mobilty and improve the 4 aspects mentioned above: on the one hand the already existing mototaxis could be adapted to function with an electric propulsion system or, on the other hand, a completely new electric mototaxi model could be introduced to replace the gasoline fuelled mototaxis. After intensive research and calculations the company decided that the adaption of the already existing model was not economically viable, because a whole new structure for the vehicle would have been required, due to the additional space and weight of the battery system. Therefore the development of a new model or rather the adoption of technical developments from other countries was preferred. At this moment there was no model of an electric mototaxi that fit the requirements for proper operation in Pucallpa. So, the company decided to build their own prototype.
To be able to undertake the necessary investments, the company applied for co-funding of their project through the institution INNÓVATE, a support program of the Peruvian ministry of production for new technologies in Peru. The goal of the project was to build and test an electric mototaxi in Pucallpa. Due to this pilot project, the company was able to earn a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the field of electro mobility and had the chance, through appropriate studies, to establish a profitable business concept for the introduction of electric mototaxis in the market of Pucallpa.
As it appears that the development of the companies’ prototype was accompanied by a large financial burden and restricted construction materials (Perú does not have an automotive industry). This is why the company decided to look for an existing modern model of an electric mototaxi, rather than having to invest a large amount of capital in designing, getting the materials and building the infrastructure to produce their own. Through some research, Ecoenergy SAC got into contact with the company KYTO Green Technologies. KYTO is a young Chinese enterprise, who has a model of an electric mototaxi perfectly suitable for Ecoenergy’s requirements. Not only will Ecoenergy benefit from the already earned knowledge of the Asian company but it will basically also revolutionize the electro mobility in Peru in the mototaxi sector.
So far the first technical pilot project (phase I) has been concluded and Ecoenergy applied for a second phase with INNÓVATE and asked for co-financing of the validation of the business concept established in the pilot project. At the same time, the company has built up a cooperation with a producer of engines called GEMmotors, which is based in Slovenia. The wheel-hub motors produced by GEMmotors will be integrated in the wheel of the vehicle from KYTO Green Technologies and undergo rigorous field tests to see whether or not the technology can be suitable for daily use. The cooperation with GEMmotors is co-financed by the German ministry of environment, protection of nature and building and reactor safety via the German society of investigation and development. During the validation of the concept (phase II) eleven electric mototaxis are tested in Pucallpa. Both, the engine and the vehicle itself have been adapted to fit the regional necessities of Pucallpa, so that the final mototaxi can handle the needs of the region such as climate and topography.
Due to the fact that the production of mototaxis with electric propulsion is way more expensive than the production of conventional ones it is neither viable nor does it make sense to sell the electric mototaxis in Pucallpa. Therefore the vehicles are rented daily to chosen drivers. The drivers use the electric mototaxi for private passenger transportation and therefore are able to earn a living. The concept of renting mototaxis (the ones running with gasoline fuel) is already used in Pucallpa and covers about 10% of the market. The price of renting an electric vehicle will be more or less the same as the price for renting a conventional mototaxi. Moreover the drivers benefit from the following advantages:
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No need to refuel
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Environmental friendly vehicles due to elimination of exhaust gases
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Improving aspects of health through less vibration and noiseless driving
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Improved sight during rain and dryness due to the integrated windshield
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More security through periodic maintenance
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Better service through educated personnel
The second phase of the project will last until the end of 2018. Afterwards the main focus lies in growth. This means that more vehicles will be acquired and rented (phase III). The third phase therefore no longer is a project phase, in which concepts need to be tested, but rather the implementation of a business model to achieve market growth.
To be able to increase the number of vehicles additional funds will be needed. Therefore Ecoenergy will try different options, such as crowdfunding, crowd investing, bank credits and private investors.
In 2019 the company aims to have 100 electric mototoaxis available in Pucallpa. With an increasing demand the production will be shifted to Pucallpa step by step. This process comes with further advantages, e.g. new work spaces for the local people of Pucallpa, cost reduction for vehicle production and reduction of the carbon footprint in the production of the vehicles.
Co-operation partners:
