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Utility vehicle hopes to reduce India's road deaths among rural population Utility vehicle hopes to reduce India's road deaths among rural population
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While India's urban dwellers snap up cheap, city-friendly cars, the country's rural dwellers – who make up 70% of the population – are often stuck using much more rudimentary forms of transport: cattle-drawn carts, overstuffed rickshaws and makeshift vehicles, which are known locally as jugaads.While India's urban dwellers snap up cheap, city-friendly cars, the country's rural dwellers – who make up 70% of the population – are often stuck using much more rudimentary forms of transport: cattle-drawn carts, overstuffed rickshaws and makeshift vehicles, which are known locally as jugaads.
Such transport is inconvenient, and leaves passengers vulnerable on India's treacherous roads, where a variety of vehicles – from wooden carts to sports cars – vie for the same, pot-holed space. Growing congestion and lax enforcement of road rules have led to an increasing number of road deaths.Such transport is inconvenient, and leaves passengers vulnerable on India's treacherous roads, where a variety of vehicles – from wooden carts to sports cars – vie for the same, pot-holed space. Growing congestion and lax enforcement of road rules have led to an increasing number of road deaths.
The death toll rose to 14 lives lost every hour in 2009, up from 13 in 2008, according to the Indian National Crime Records Bureau.The death toll rose to 14 lives lost every hour in 2009, up from 13 in 2008, according to the Indian National Crime Records Bureau.
India accounts for about 10% of road traffic fatalities worldwide. In total, more people die in road accidents in India than anywhere else in the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the death rate per 100,000 people for road traffic accidents has increased from 16.8 in 2009 to 18.9 in 2013.India accounts for about 10% of road traffic fatalities worldwide. In total, more people die in road accidents in India than anywhere else in the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the death rate per 100,000 people for road traffic accidents has increased from 16.8 in 2009 to 18.9 in 2013.
The makeshift jugaads – low-cost vehicles with diesel engines, weak brakes and little (if any) protective facade – are especially treacherous. So much so that in 2010 the northern state of Rajasthan made them illegal.The makeshift jugaads – low-cost vehicles with diesel engines, weak brakes and little (if any) protective facade – are especially treacherous. So much so that in 2010 the northern state of Rajasthan made them illegal.
Abhinav Das, 27, an engineer, saw a gap in the rural transport market and decided to do something about it. As a student at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, Das concocted a solution: the rural utility vehicle, or RUV. What started out as an "experiment" for a college competition has turned into a full-time job and a company, Evomo Research and Advancement, says Das. Abhinav Das, 27, an engineer, saw a gap in the rural transport market and decided to do something about it. As a resident at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, Das concocted a solution: the rural utility vehicle, or RUV. What started out as an "experiment" for a competition has turned into a full-time job and a company, Evomo Research and Advancement, says Das.
He says the RUV is a safer and more useful alternative to the jugaad. The vehicle has a proper braking system, headlights and a sturdy frame that can easily handle rough terrain. The RUV can also be manufactured locally, which creates job opportunities in rural areas.He says the RUV is a safer and more useful alternative to the jugaad. The vehicle has a proper braking system, headlights and a sturdy frame that can easily handle rough terrain. The RUV can also be manufactured locally, which creates job opportunities in rural areas.
Evomo launched a first-stage prototype of the RUV in early 2013 and an updated beta version is expected in March. The company hopes to take the vehicle to market in five districts in the north-western state of Gujarat. But to do so, Das says, he needs $300,000 in investment, which he's still trying to raise.Evomo launched a first-stage prototype of the RUV in early 2013 and an updated beta version is expected in March. The company hopes to take the vehicle to market in five districts in the north-western state of Gujarat. But to do so, Das says, he needs $300,000 in investment, which he's still trying to raise.
Can India's rural population afford the RUV? It costs $3,000, much more than a cattle-drawn cart and three times as much as a jugaad.Can India's rural population afford the RUV? It costs $3,000, much more than a cattle-drawn cart and three times as much as a jugaad.
"We are very aware of the price point and are looking at financing options to make it more affordable," Das says, adding that some of the RUV's bells and whistles – such as a water-pumping system that should appeal to farmers – might entice rural consumers to pool funds to buy an RUV."We are very aware of the price point and are looking at financing options to make it more affordable," Das says, adding that some of the RUV's bells and whistles – such as a water-pumping system that should appeal to farmers – might entice rural consumers to pool funds to buy an RUV.
Evomo isn't the only company tackling rural transport. Mobius Motors and the Institute for Affordable Transportation have pioneered similar designs. "They are both my inspirations," Das notes.Evomo isn't the only company tackling rural transport. Mobius Motors and the Institute for Affordable Transportation have pioneered similar designs. "They are both my inspirations," Das notes.
Both organisations, like Evomo, are trying to popularise their vehicles in rural markets. But, as with the RUV, these rural transport alternatives have yet to prove they can be commercially viable.Both organisations, like Evomo, are trying to popularise their vehicles in rural markets. But, as with the RUV, these rural transport alternatives have yet to prove they can be commercially viable.
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