letters to the editor
Motor cars and power generations
Sir
A new Indian auto manufacturer named Eicher Motors, seems to have hit the jackpot in ideas on dual purpose vehicles. Their vehicle called Multix has multiple tricks up it sleeve. It can carry people and goods, and in time of need; that is fairly common it becomes a 4KW electric power generator. It is possibly a three in one on four wheels. It is really a new type of motorized vehicle, a relatively cheap diesel-powered pickup that also works as a diesel powered electricity generator, as its returns back home, after hauling passengers or cargo during the day. Back home, it provides much needed electricity; that is usually scarce and not available in the evening hours, because of power shortage, generally during maximum demand period. The vehicle is powered by diesel engine, not gasoline engine and runs on a comparatively cheaper fuel in comparison to gasoline.
Here we have a vehicle that also doubles as a power generator. In Bangladesh, this will be a hit in our rural areas, that are starved of power during the maximum demand period from 6 to 10 pm, when in rural areas darkness sets in; due to load shedding, while maximum power is diverted to cities where most of the people that count in the countrys affairs are mostly located. Even in urban areas load shedding on evenings is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. The government should reduce the duties and taxes for this vehicle; which could be less than the rate of duties applicable for auto-rickshaws and most light transport vehicles. This could then possibly be a power source for the traders and other related persons in the trade and transport sectors, and be a boon for most such middle class small families, who can get by with 3KW of power during the evening hours be it in rural or urban locations. This is written in the interest of drawing the attention of our authorities, so that some relief for power shortage can be readily available; without any public capital expenditure.
Engr.S. A. Mansoor
Dhaka
