electric SUVs. Specifically, they're from test prototype examples. As the co-founder of Nunam, Prodip Chatterjee, notes, while the batteries may not be ideal for car use anymore, they're still fine in a low-power, lightweight vehicle such as a rickshaw. Furthermore, while electric rickshaws aren't uncommon in India, where these will be tested, they're mainly powered by lead-acid batteries.
Only three of the rickshaws have been built so far. Nunam will be providing them to a local nonprofit organization that helps women make and sell goods without relying on other intermediaries. As such, the rickshaws will be used for transporting those goods around. Furthermore, a solar panel charging system will be provided to make charging emission-free.
The rickshaws will go into use early next year. Nunam will be tracking the use and battery condition to learn more about the characteristics of these old batteries and the viability for these second-life use cases.