Fresh air adventure in Thailand: Explore Chiang Mai in a green e-tuk-tuk.
How about exploring the city in a sustainable way without polluting your lungs with exhaust fumes? And how cool would it be if you could support the local community and get a glimpse into the lives of Thai people at the same time? I did just that when I rode through Chiang Mai with Mr. Chat and his electric tricycle. Find out all about e-tuk-tuks and our green city tour in this IMPACKT world travel blog article.
Association for e-tuk-tuks in Chiang Mai: An initiative for an environmentally friendly city
Mr. Chat is the chairman of the Association for Electric Tuk-Tuk Drivers in Northern Thailand and guided me and my friend Erin, who interpreted for us, through the exciting pilot project. Chiang Mai is currently the only place where there are e-tuk-tuks in Thailand. As we accompany Mr. Chat from our meeting point - the vegan Free Bird Cafe - to the e-tricycle, he points to the number plate with the number 99 and says: "99 is a lucky number." On the way, he reveals to us why he switched from traditional tuk-tuks - aka dirt bikes - to e-tuks. Until a few years ago, he drove petrol-powered tricycles himself and noticed how the toxic exhaust fumes and the droning noise made him sick. Customers also complained about the smell and the noise. When he started using e-tuk-tuks for his work, his health improved drastically. This success is the reason why he wants to inspire more people with the electric alternative.
Mr. Chat's goal is to make e-tricycles more profitable. The current challenge is that the initial costs are still very high. This is due to the comparatively expensive battery, which costs around 2,700 €. Local drivers are worried that they will not be able to afford this. Currently, there are 90 e-rickshaws in the city, of which only 30 are used, as the drivers of the other 60 are sceptical whether enough locals and tourists want to use the sustainable alternative.
Mr. Chat is nevertheless sure that this will change for the better in the future and that the electric version will become more popular. The feedback from the passengers so far - from Thai to international tourists - has been consistently positive. Mr. Chat tells us that the travellers are always surprised and jokingly ask: "Where did the smell and sound go? Because the vehicles, which are powered 100% by green energy, do not emit any stinking exhaust fumes. Speaking of green: thanks to the green signs on the roof with the words "E-Taxi", you can recognise the electric version.
To be able to rent out even more of these e-taxis more cheaply, Mr. Chat and the association are doing something great: they buy discarded autorickshaws and give them a second life by converting them into fancy e-tuk-tuks. The project works closely with a factory in Bangkok to build the new e-vehicles. The parts are manufactured there and then assembled in Chiang Mai. This not only supports local jobs, but also the local community by generating revenue and raising awareness of sustainable mobility options.
And these e-tricycles have it all. They can whiz along the roads at 120 km/h in purely theoretical terms, but are limited to 60 km/h for urban use. The motor, by the way, is installed under the passenger seats. The range is 120 kilometres and the battery, which is located underneath the driver's seat, is charged from 0 to 100 per cent within 3 hours. In comparison, a Tesla Model 3 takes about 6 hours and 15 minutes. Moreover, e-tuk-tuks are far cheaper to use than regular tuk-tuks. For example, the monthly fuel cost for the petrol-powered ones is about €162.40 and the electricity cost for the electric ones is only about €21.65 in comparison.
Sustainable and comfortable: Explore Thailand in an electric tuk-tuk
To test the performance of these vehicles before using them on the road, they drive to the golden temple "Wat Phra That Doi Suthep" on the mountainside and to the community in the mountain region "Mon jam". Because if the E-Tuk-Tuk can climb these mountains, they can easily withstand the roads of Chiang Mai. So if you ever want to take an e-tuk-tuk on an adventure tour to a phenomenal view point, Mr Chat is your man.
Erin and I decided we'd rather take a sustainable city tour. During our tour, we discovered the sights of Chiang Mai, including the beautiful Nong Buak Haad Public Park as well as vegan restaurants. My highlight was a silver workshop where I was able to look over the shoulders of the workers as they made their crafts. This is a great way to support the local economy while bringing home unique souvenirs. I bought a silver elephant keychain for 27 cents.
Afterwards we went to the silver temple where we could admire the finished silver art pieces. Normally it would be taboo to visit temples and markets with the noisy dirt bikes, but with this e-vehicle it was possible: so the monks are already fans. I was also able to experience for myself how quiet and relaxed such a tuk-tuk ride is. In addition, we were also able to drive around in the narrow alleys of the city where there are no cars. So an e-rickshaw is superior to the engine tuk-tuks for city tours.
Mr. Chat gives me the impression of being a very educated man with an eye for the big picture. So I am not surprised when he tells me about his visions. He is currently working on an experiment to install solar panels on e-tuk-tuks. In the future, the built-in batteries could recharge themselves. He also wants to give tourists the opportunity to learn how to drive an e-tricycle outside the city together with experienced tuk-tuk drivers. I'm excited about it and would like to chug through the beautiful landscape myself.
But it's not bad in the back either: because they are built wider than usual. Besides, Mr. Chat wants to make the e-tuk-tuks even more comfortable: With a sound system, a mini-fridge and a table in the middle. I'm already curious, are you?
If you want to book an alternative tour with Mr. Chat and his e-tuk-tuk, you can reach him at +66 87 179 8348. Otherwise, you can choose a ride via the super app Grab. The tour cost me the equivalent of €13.24. So, next time you're in Chiang Mai, remember to visit Mr. Chat and his project - I'm sure you'll be excited about this electrifying and green travel experience too!
Best regards,
Yours Franzi
