In Sudan, the phenomenon of lightweight, three-wheeled vehicles known as 'Riksha' or 'Tuk-Tuk' has become a prominent feature of urban and rural transportation over the past two decades. While they have helped bridge the financial and operational gaps in passenger and goods transportation, providing job opportunities for many young people, they have also become a significant engineering, economic, and environmental burden. Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive, engineering, and economic vision that redefines the light transportation sector and ensures a smooth, sustainable transition to electric and hybrid vehicles.
From a mechanical engineering perspective, most 'Riksha' vehicles currently on Sudan's streets suffer from technical shortcomings, including low engine efficiency and environmental pollution. Most vehicles rely on small internal combustion engines with low thermal efficiency, leading to increased carbon emissions and harmful gases. Additionally, they lack advanced suspension and balance systems, making them prone to overturning on sharp turns or uneven roads. Their economic inefficiency is also a concern, as they consume large amounts of imported or subsidized fossil fuel for short trips, straining the balance of payments and exacerbating fuel crises.
To address these challenges, a gradual strategy is needed, focusing on transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles. This can be achieved by retrofitting existing 'Riksha' vehicles with electric powertrains or introducing new electric and hybrid vehicles. The use of lithium or phosphate batteries with extended range and fast charging capabilities can reduce operating and maintenance costs. Electric vehicles can lower periodic maintenance costs by over 60% due to the absence of complex moving parts.
Introducing small electric and hybrid vehicles that can accommodate three passengers, including the driver, is another potential solution. These vehicles would have a closed cabin, providing structural safety and security, along with independent suspension systems and balance sensors. Hybrid powertrains, combining gasoline and electric power, offer a transitional engineering solution for areas with an unstable national electricity grid, ensuring longer range while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
The Gihad Group for Engineering Industries, a Sudanese manufacturing and technical company, is poised to lead this technological transformation. The company plans to establish specialized production lines for electric and hybrid vehicles in collaboration with international developers, focusing on increasing local component production and designing durable structures suitable for Sudan's road conditions.
Providing sustainable energy solutions and charging infrastructure is also crucial. Gihad Group, in partnership with the energy sector, aims to establish solar-powered charging stations to provide independent charging points in major parking areas and markets. Additionally, the company plans to offer comprehensive replacement and renewal programs in collaboration with banks and financial institutions to facilitate the replacement of old 'Riksha' vehicles with electric or hybrid vehicles.
To ensure the success of this transition, training and technical qualification programs are essential. These programs will focus on training Sudanese technicians in electronic diagnosis, battery maintenance, and electric motor repair to guarantee the sustainability of services and safe operation. Regulatory recommendations, including strict traffic and industrial controls, are also necessary to restrict the entry of traditional 'Riksha' vehicles into specific areas and designate separate routes for electric and small vehicles.
Key points
- The Sudanese government aims to transition to electric and hybrid vehicles to address the challenges posed by the 'Riksha' phenomenon.
- The Gihad Group for Engineering Industries will play a crucial role in leading this technological transformation.
- The transition to electric and hybrid vehicles is expected to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to Sudan's transportation challenges.
