Principal Investigator:  Dr. Md. Ehsan, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET

Background of the Research

Three wheeler vehicles operated using electrical energy commonly known as “Easybikes” are common and popular form of urban transportation in Bangladesh for nearly two decades. They are now used in vast numbers all over Bangladesh. Easy bikes have gained huge popularity due to its low cost, however the vehicles still do not have proper permission to ply on urban roads due to its requirement of mains electricity for charging and higher vulnerability of passenger safety, especially due to overloading and over speeding. However, globally, people are concerned about global warming and there are tremendous effort going on to reduce pollution from transportation sector. Going through the path of electric 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers can effectively reduce air pollution, especially in cities with high population density. As the power generation capacity of the country has increased and newer more environmentally friendly technologies are coming to the market, the possibility of running electric vehicles are gaining momentum in Bangladesh. This proposal is intended to address safety and technical issues related to current available designs in the market and propose a standard design guideline for electric Easybikes.  

As the current models are already being used in hundreds of thousands, it will not be practical to change them all drastically. Additionally, the current models do not have a very long service life, so they are expected to be phased out within a limited time period (eg. within 2-3 years). This proposal will study the current situation and identify limiting requirements vehicle design parameters like – drive motor power, type of battery used, speed limits, some critical vehicle dimensions and passenger safety etc. of the existing models and propose a design standard.

The proposed research will start with a technical survey for gathering information regarding the design, use and specification of different types of Easybikes currently running in different parts of Bangladesh. The techno-economic survey will give a strong base for development of the design standardization features for currently used Easybikes taking passenger and vehicle safety into prime consideration. Performance tests in laboratory and roads of some commonly used Easybike models will also provide vital technical data for ascertaining design standardization parameters and features for existing Easybikes. A guideline for standardization of common currently used designs will be formulated, taking the techno-economic feasibility of the Easybikes in consideration.

Based on - the performance test and technical analysis of existing models, survey findings and feedback from discussions with stake holders (eg. local manufacturers/entrepreneurs, government agencies, collective end-users etc.) a design standardization guideline will be prepared for new Easybikes to be fabricated/imported from near future in order to ensure passenger and vehicular safety. Efficiency of charging system and environmental aspect of the battery disposal will also be considered. The standardization will detail a set of vehicle configuration and performance parameters, which will ensure better safety of passengers as well as the vehicle while achieving certain performance level. The new standardization may have a number of categories based on the type of usage and vehicle physical configuration. It will also likely to include additional safety components not used in current vehicles, but keeping the costing of the inclusions under consideration based on the socio-economic reality of Bangladesh. The research team will fabricate/assemble Easybike prototypes (at least two types) in accordance to design standardization guideline formulated by the team for new Easybikes. The two models can be based on either type of use or range of costing, which will be finalized based on the research findings.

This project involves significant technical challenges in fabrication and integration of the proposed design, but the research team has required experiences and has been involve for more than two decades for the development and standardization of various kind of vehicles especially different type three wheelers in collaboration with government agencies like Bangladesh Road Transport Authorities (BRTA) and ministry of Environment etc. If properly implemented, future Easybikes are expected to be standardized, safer and more sustainable in the perspective of Bangladesh.

Outcome of the Research

Three wheeler vehicles operated using electrical energy commonly known as “Easybikes” are used for nearly two decades in Bangladesh. They are now used in vast numbers all over Bangladesh. The system typically consists of a stack of batteries which are charged using mains power and a DC electric motor with control electronics which drive the rear wheels. Easy bikes have gained huge popularity due to its low cost, however the vehicles still do not have proper permission to ply on urban roads due to its requirement of mains electricity for charging and higher venerability of passenger safety, especially due to overloading. Easybikes are imported directly mostly from China and India as well as a number of local factories/workshops fabricate such vehicles using some imported components. Typically, some local government authorities like municipal/city corporations are giving the permission for plying them on roads but national organizations like Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) are still not associated with the approval process of such vehicles. There are also some rulings from the High Court regarding use of unapproved electricity in charging the batteries of such vehicle, especially at peak demand conditions. Disposal of the large number of batteries of such vehicles is also creating huge environmental concern.

The problem associated with the widespread use of Easybikes and a number of technical problems and safety issues have been noticed by some government agencies for some time. As the power generation capacity of the country has increased and newer more environmentally friendly technologies are coming to the market, the possibility of running electric vehicles are gaining momentum worldwide. Under such circumstances the Adviser on – power, energy and mineral resources to the honorable Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh gave directives to Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) to develop a standard design appropriate for easy bike applicable in Bangladesh. The government decided to ask the department of Mechanical Engineering, BUET to give a research proposal in this regard which can be funded by BEPRC

Objective of the Research

Specific objectives of the proposed research are:

1. To carry out a technical survey for gathering information regarding the design, use and specification of different types of Easybikes currently running in different parts of Bangladesh (expected to cover 15 locations in several divisions). The survey will also focus on feedback from relevant stake holders (eg. driver, owner, passengers, manufacturer/importer, traffic authority etc.) regarding advantages and limitations of currently used designs and their market price.
2. To carry out visits to some Easybike manufacturing /assembling plants in different parts of Bangladesh. Visits will also be carried out to manufacturing plants in countries (eg. China, India, Thailand etc.) from where most of the Easybikes used in Bangladesh are imported from. The actual number of plants visited will depend on the permission of visits acquired.
3. To carry out performance tests at laboratory and roads for a number of selected variants (at least four). The performance tests would typically incorporate – Acceleration, Braking and Cruising performance, Dynamic Stability, Gradeability, Power consumption rates and Battery charging parameters.
4. To analyze the geometric configuration, technical details and vehicle performance results of commonly used designs tested and specially look into the passenger and driver safety issues of current designs.
5. To identify features in current designs that can be standardized in order to improve vehicle performance and safety of the vehicle and passengers. A guideline for standardization of common currently used designs will be formulated, taking the techno-economic feasibility of the Easybikes into consideration.
6. Based on the information collected, technical studies and interaction with stake holders a design standardization guideline will be formulated for new Easybikes to be fabricated/imported from near future.
7. To design, develop and fabricate/assemble Easybikes prototypes (at least two types) in accordance to design standardization guideline formulated by the team for new Easybikes. The two models can be either type of use based or range of cost based, which will be finalized based on the research findings.
8. To perform laboratory and road testing of the two prototypes developed following the design standardization guideline formulated.
9. To disseminate the research findings and field trial results to stake holders and scientific communities through focus group discussions and technical publications.

In addition, it is expected that collaborations may be developed with prospective local Easybike manufacturing industries and enthusiastic entrepreneurs to be involve in the research findings and project outcomes could open business opportunity for interested organizations.

Expected Impacts of the Research

The techno-economic survey will give a strong base for development of the design standardization features for currently used Easybikes taking passenger and vehicle safety into prime consideration. Performance tests in laboratory and roads of some commonly used Easybike models would also provide vital technical data for ascertaining design standardization parameters and features for existing Easybikes. Following these standardization features can improve the passenger and vehicular safety.

Incorporation of Chassis roller dynamometer and onboard vehicle data acquisition systems will allow development of Easybike prototypes in the laboratories prior to road testing. This will reduce cost and time of prototype development and enhance and modernize the existing vehicle testing capabilities of relevant departments of BUET. This will help in developing the new prototypes of Easybikes in this project as well as provide better testing facilities for relevant stake holders like – BRTA, Govt. Ministries, Customs Authorities and Local Industries.

Based on - the performance test and technical analysis of existing models, survey findings and feedback from discussions with stake holders a design standardization guideline will be prepared for new Easybikes in order to ensure passenger and vehicular safety. Efficiency of charging system and environmental aspect of the battery disposal will also be considered. If properly implemented, future Easybikes are expected to be standardized, safer and more sustainable in the perspective of Bangladesh.

Local industries and stakeholders will be actively incorporated in the design standardization process both at development stage and findings dissemination stage. The team already has some relevant industrial contacts in this regards. This would facilitate the implementation phase of the design standard in practice.