To What Extent Does the Adoption of Electric Three-Wheelers/E-Rickshaws in Lucknow Contribute to Human Development Outcomes Among Drivers and Commuters?

This research evaluates how e-rickshaws contribute towards human development in Lucknow. The study is based on secondary sources such as government data, policy papers, institutional reports and relevant studies regarding e-rickshaws. The aim of the study is to evaluate links between e-rickshaw use, the livelihoods of e-rickshaw drivers, economic welfare of households, affordable mobility and last-mile connectivity. The results show that e-rickshaws are very important as an alternative source of self-employment and income while facilitating transport services for people commuting from their homes to public transport stations, jobs, markets and essential services. Even though the e-rickshaw has an electric engine with no tailpipe emissions, this may not mean that it is totally eco-friendly due to the influence of traffic conditions and other types of pollution in the urban areas. There is also evidence from Lucknow that the increase in the number of e-rickshaws leads to a decrease in the emissions forecasted by models and moreover improves the traffic flow on several road segments. Therefore, in general terms the study arrives at the conclusion that e-rickshaws contribute to improving human development through various connections between livelihoods and mobility.