Terra Motors unveils electric three-wheeler for India

Japanese electric vehicle (EV) startup Terra Motors today unveiled its first three-wheeler, to be sold in developing Asian markets as an affordable and environmentally-minded alternative to gas-powered scooters and trikes. Dubbed the R6, Terra Motors’ new three-wheeler can accommodate seven people (six passengers and a driver) and travel 100 kilometers on a single charge.

The startup claims that charging costs amount to a mere US$328 per year. A similar gas-powered three-wheeler, on the other hand, burns through US$4,307 of petrol annually. These estimates are based on the cost of electricity and gasoline in Delhi, as Terra Motors is targeting the Indian market for the R6’s debut. It has set a sales goal of 10,000 units in the country for 2015. According to a Terra Motors statement, at least two other e-rickshaws are in development to compliment the flagship R6.

Tuk tuk-style transportation vehicles are a common sight across South and Southeast Asia. Their compact design allows them to carry just as many (if not more) passengers as a traditional taxi while navigating narrow roads and the region’s notoriously congested streets. But idling a gasoline engine during peak traffic is a big source of air pollution – something Terra Motors is passionate about curbing. The R6 has a tight 3.2-meter turning radius and a reverse function for maneuverability – all with zero carbon emissions.

Additionally, the R6 can reach 30km/h and safely climb 10-degree inclines. A lead acid battery provides the power, and it can reach an 80 percent charge in just one to two hours. It even has built-in rain flaps for inclement weather.

Tetsuya Ohashi, Terra Motors’ PR manager, tells Tech in Asia that the R6 will also be sold in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Pricing has not yet been made public.

See: Japanese EV startup wants to help Iran curb air pollution with ebikes