I came across an internet news item the other day. It might
affect urban transportation trends. Might, I said.
Well, Tuk-Tuks are small motorcycle vehicles from Asian
countries. They are tricycles usually used as cabs and are everywhere – by the thousands!
A two seat passenger cab at the rear with a fabric cover to protect riders from
rain. The driver sits on a single seat up front at the controls.
Today, Tuk-Tuks have grown to seat four or five. Many of
them have changed to electric propulsion to dampen street noise but also to greatly
reduce air pollution. With more passenger protection from the elements, the
vehicles are migrating to other markets where personal transportation in
populated areas are well served by these small vehicles.
I wondered how they might fare in Illinois during the winter. Then my thinking
leaped to how fast these things can go and if they could keep up with a 45 mile
per hour speed limit on tertiary roadways in suburban locales.
I still don’t know the answers to those questions, but my
thinking stopped cold when I learned that pricing of the Tuk-Tuks begins at
$17,000 and runs as high as $25,000! I was hoping for a price under $10,000 and
was calculating how large the suburban market might be for this form of transportation
getting to and from the train station, local shops and visiting friends. Short
errands nearby would be perfect for these putt putts. Just not at $20,000. No
way. Small cars are available for less than that with highway capabilities,
intercity routes, and fully enclosed passenger protection from heat, cold, snow
and rain.
Tuk-Tuks are being licensed for manufacture in Western Europe , England
and Canada .
I doubt they will be introduced to American markets anytime soon mainly due to
the price. If large scale manufacturing would take a crack at this form of
transportation, it might be likely that price points would fall. Now if they
can get the open air passenger compartments enclosed and heated and cooled, we
might be in business!
Otherwise the Tuk-Tuks would be tut-tut!
May 25, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment