eTukTuk has gone through an exciting period of EVolution throughout the last 12 months and today, we would like to release some important news that bears no exception to the amazing period of growth that we have had.

So without further ado….

eTukTuk would like to announce the adoption of BNB Chain and its Layer 2 solution opBNB — effective immediately. (Hint — Click this link first to read the article.)

We thought we might just leave that sentence there. Mic drop. End scene.

But no! We wouldn’t do that to you all. Thank you to all our EVangelists out there who have come along for the ride with us on our journey towards building a network of sustainable charging stations that will power the eTukTuk EV. Here’s our reasoning behind the major adoption of BNB Chain into our ecosystem.

eTukTuk has been riding the wave of development towards sustainable transportation for a few years now, and we have been busying ourselves to refine our blueprint for success. It must be said that we are leading the drive towards innovative charging for the future, and blockchain is a major component of everything we hope to achieve.

Sure — there are other companies out there building EVs and selling them privately to people across the globe. But what sets us apart (aside from our super cool eTukTuk and the fact we are launching in developing countries) is that we are catering to the masses — providing publicly affordable transportation for the many, not just the ‘entitled’ few. Powered by blockchain technology, our priority is to build a network that is highly scalable, energy efficient, and that provides benefits to individuals across the ecosystem.

Why BNB Chain and What Is It?

The BNB Chain presented eTukTuk with an incredible potential for scalability. Our team — who are in awe of the community engagement and success of our Twitter account and our Station App (which currently has over 70,000 members) were thrilled with the efficiency and scalability opportunities for our network.

BNB Chain is an entire ecosystem of blockchains comprising two key chains — BNB Smart Chain (BSC) and BNB Beacon Chain (BC). eTukTuk will be building on BNB Chain’s Layer 1 BSC. However, to support lower transaction fees and to boost scalability on the mainnet, there is opBNB — a Layer 2 scaling solution powered by Optimism opStack.

BNB Chain has outlined its technical roadmap for 2023, and its key initiatives are:

• Scalability
• Decentralisation
• Security
• Mass Adoption Infrastructure

BNB Chain is one of the biggest and most popular chains out there. At the end of January 2023, it was reported that BNB Chain had 5% more unique address accounts on the blockchain with just under 250 million [1].

Designed for mass adoption, it is a community-first, open-source ecosystem built on a permissionless and decentralised environment [2]. This aligns with eTukTuk’s long-term goals to bring transportation to the masses, with the ability to scale securely as we move into new territories.

The reasons for the integration are plenty, but here are some key features that particularly caught our eye, and why eTukTuk believes that BNB Chain and opBNB in particular is going to facilitate adoption and growth.

Scalability

BNB Chain is constantly seeking to increase the block gas fee limit, thereby increasing the number of transactions completed per block, which will reduce transaction fees across the network [3].

In 2022, the gas limit was increased from 80M to 140M, which enabled up to 2,000 transactions per second (TPS). In 2023, BNB has aspirations to increase its gas limit to 300M, which will increase the TPS to 5,000. According to BNB Chain, scalability will also not stop beyond 2023.

Binance’s BNB Chain’s architecture enables eTukTuk to leverage the best of both worlds — high-performance and rapid transaction confirmations. With increased scalability, our platform can now accommodate a greater number of users without compromising speed or enforcing high transaction fees, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective experience for all.

Layer 2 Chain Support

Layer 2 chain support via BNB Chain’s opBNB will be absolutely central to achieving network success in multiple territories. After meeting with the BNB Chain team, eTukTuk realised opBNB presented numerous qualities that align with our mission.

We want to facilitate growth so that we can widely achieve the reduction of carbon emissions, carbon-related health conditions, and to propel financial inclusivity. For this, we need a network that focuses heavily on scalability solutions.

Layer 1 chains like BSC require assistance for high-frequency transactions in order to remove gas fees. High gas fees and network responsiveness have led to the creation of Layer 2 support which breaks through the constraints of Layer 1 chains. With BNB Chain’s opBNB, eTukTuk will have Layer 2 chain support. This is a further scalability solution and works by offloading transaction processing and resource usage from the chain. However, it still posts data to the underlying mainnet.

Some of its key benefits are:

• High Performance — 100 million gas performance.
• Scalability — designed for over 4,000 Transactions Per Second (TPS).
• Cost Efficiency — maintains gas fees under $0.005 on average for transfer transactions

If you want to read more about the many benefits of the legendary opBNB Layer 2 chain, then you’ll find it HERE.

Advanced Efficiency

BNB Chain’s Proof Of Staked Authority (PoSA) means that it is more energy-efficient than most Layer 1 blockchains, including Ethereum. BNB Chain’s PoSA consensus mechanism means that validators on the network no longer have to compete to validate blocks on the chain. This removes extra gas fees, eliminating costly transaction fees to the ecosystem.

Security

Security is a paramount concern in today’s digital landscape. By adopting BSC, eTukTuk underscores its commitment to safeguarding user data and digital assets. BSC’s advanced consensus mechanism and battle-tested security measures guarantee a reliable environment where users can confidently engage with our platform, knowing their privacy and assets are protected.

Empowering DeFi

Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is reshaping the financial landscape, and at eTukTuk, we aim to be at the forefront of this transformative movement. BNB Chain offers lower transaction fees and extensive support for DeFi project dApps. eTukTuk will empower its community, providing greater control over their assets and financial decisions.

Decentralised identities are crucial for people all across the globe to be able to access financial opportunities and to have total control over their money. Thanks to BNB Chain, eTukTuk will be able to bring those opportunities to people — helping to transform and better their lives, save money, earn more, and thrive.

Binance’s Presence in Asia and Africa

Binance is a pioneering force in the market and it has solidified its dominance in African, Asian and Eastern European countries. Using Binance Pay, they are bridging the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies as a payment source for goods and services, and it is something that eTukTuk can utilise.

A strategic partnership with WooCommerce is also expected to expand the reach of Binance Pay, with an estimated 40% of global websites using the e-commerce plugin. The integration allows cryptocurrency users to make payments with 70 different tokens.

Binance was one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges to enter the market, and its early presence allowed it to establish a strong user base in both Asia and Africa. Binance Pay has facilitated its growth in recent years by making safe, interoperable, and widely accessible payments systems available to the masses.

Binance has recently expanded into West-Africa by supporting 5 currencies across the sub-region. This enables users there to conduct direct cryptocurrency transactions with other users in their preferred payment method, local currency and price without the need for a third-party or intermediary.

Conclusion

The integration of BNB Chain and opBNB Layer 2 support reflects eTukTuk’s dedication to innovation, security, sustainability, and scalability. We are committed to building a network that can have a positive impact across the globe as we roll out our solution across other territories. As we begin our journey in Sri Lanka in 2023, we look forward to amalgamating the benefits of EV charging and transport with blockchain to forge a new era in robust and future-proof transportation so that we can sever the ties that bind us to fossil fuels.

We are also committed to building the most effective experience for our drivers and our community, which will make scaling our solution so much easier and more rewarding.

As we wrote in the beginning — there are lots of businesses out there that are building EVs. However, there are none that encompass such a wide range of key features and initiatives like we do at eTukTuk. We don’t just want to rEVolutionise transportation as we know it, but we want to bring innovation to the countries that need it most.

We hope you can join us on our journey to power the future of transportation.

#JoinTherEVolution #eTukTuk

[1] Binance. (2023). BSC News. URL: https://www.bsc.news/post/bnb-chain-ends-january-2023-with-most-blockchain-addresses. Accessed 13th July 2023.

[2] Binance. (2023). BNB Chain: An Ecosystem of Blockchains. URL:

https://docs.bnbchain.org/docs/overview. Accessed 17th July, 2023.

[3] HanBin. (2023). So what’s next for $BNB in 2023? URL: https://www.binance.com/en/feed/post/394122. Accessed 16th July, 2023.

Are you heading out and about in the city in the next few weeks? Then keep your eyes peeled for some important information this weekend. eTukTuk is quite literally on the buses!

Until the 16th July, commuters and tourists can set their eyes on our very own posters on London buses all across the city. And we are leading with one big message. We want the community to #JointherEVolution!

Why Are We Doing This?

We know what you’re going to say — My, my eTukTuk gets about, doesn’t it?!” Well you are absolutely correct and we are proud of it!

Hundreds of thousands (if not millions, or even billions!) of people around the world know about the need to reduce carbon emissions. Just look at the ultra low emission zone in force in London!

However, what most people won’t know is that eTukTuk is leading the charge in a transportation rEVolution that can provide the answers to some of our planet’s biggest questions. Like, for example, ‘how can we make transportation affordable whilst keeping countries moving?’

eTukTuk needs to get the word out there and fast. We want to completely rEVolutionise transportation for the good of everyone, and we need your help to spread the word so that everyone can take part in this global mission to reduce CO2, end CO2-related health conditions, and put a stop to financial disparity.

Whilst we will begin our mission in developing countries, the positive ripple effect of our ecosystem’s impacts will be felt globally. So, now you know.

Together, we can achieve anything and that’s why eTukTuk wants to spread the word — to bring awareness to as many people as possible so they can take part in a rEVolution like no other.

What is the Mission?

We want you to head out onto the streets of London before the 17th July to find one of the buses with our sign on the side. It will look like this:

Take a picture of the bus before you board, or even if you just see one stop nearby. You can take a selfie if you want to, or just a photo of the bus. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #eTukTuk and #JointherEVolution so we can see your image online.

What Images Qualify?

Well, we certainly don’t want to see the images we have shared here to be sent back to us. We want to see landmarks around the buses, selfies if you’re keen, maybe even time and date stamps! Make your work original and enjoyable.

Anyone taking part will become part of our community — representative of eTukTuk so make your photo a good one! Share with your network and tell as many people as you can to check out our project at https://etuktuk.io.

Where Can I See Them?

Fancy checking out the buses? They will be regularly driving around the following routes:

• https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/e3/
• https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/14/
• https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/22/
• https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/74/
• https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/route/211/

We want you to join the rEVolution. Take a photo of yourselves whilst you ride, or if you see a bus passing. Then head to Twitter and post your photo and don’t forget to tag us in.

#eTukTuk #JointherEVolution

We hope you enjoy riding the buses over the next couple of weeks! Don’t forget — our images will disappear by 17th July so get yours in quick!

*Last day you can take pictures is 16th July 2023.

eTukTuk would like to announce The Capital Maharaja Group’s equity stake in our rEVolutionary network set to breathe new life into transportation technology throughout Sri Lanka.

eTukTuk recently announced that The Capital Maharaja Group — Sri Lanka’s largest, privately-held conglomerate would be joining us in a major partnership on the ground in Sri Lanka. The pairing will help our network to integrate seamlessly and boost growth within the transportation landscape throughout the country.

To further strengthen our ties to Sri Lanka, however, eTukTuk can now reveal that The Capital Maharaja Group is also the holder of a 20% equity stake in eTukTuk’s entity in Sri Lanka, meaning that our biggest partner to date has a vested interest in the widespread success of the network going forward.

So, who are The Capital Maharaja Group, and why is this shareholder crucial to eTukTuk’s success?

With over 90 years’ experience integrating brand names and opportunities into the country, The Capital Maharaja Group has amassed a wealth of experience and expertise. Having brought major brands to Sri Lanka, like Colgate Palmolive, PVC Pipes, Internal Cosmetics Ltd, A.F Jones, TDK, Fox Resorts, and so many more, CMG is at the heart of the nation, providing products and services to the people of Sri Lanka that are now household names and tried and trusted staples in everyday life.

Their track record for forging successful joint ventures is astounding. These include global names such as; BP, Cadbury, IBM, Union Carbide, Cheseborough Ponds, Parker Ink, Sekisui, Chem-Way International, Berec Batteries, Pepsi Cola International, SingTel, Telekom Malaysia for Dialog, New Zealand Dairy Board, Fonterra, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Colgate, General Motors Canada, Sagem, Citizen, Balfour Beatty, Sony Music, Universal, and BMG (to name only a few).

The company was also responsible for setting up the Board of Investment (BOI); the agency at the pinnacle of foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka; forging new pathways for success in order to attract a wealth of global investment. This led to the country’s first-ever BOI project — the Prima Flour Mill in 1977, with many more projects since its inception.

With 9 different manufacturing companies, and an impressive portfolio of infrastructure including manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centres, dealerships, and clearing and forwarding facilities, CMG is perfectly positioned to assist eTukTuk at every stage of the integration process.

Furthermore, they have impressively captured the hearts of the people with their well-established and popular media companies MTV and MBC, which encompass a wide range of stations that have made them the people’s network and the national broadcaster. With an infinite reach to households all over Sri Lanka, CMG is well placed to publicise and market products to the people.

Not only are CMG poised to facilitate the success of the eTukTuk network in Sri Lanka, but their goals align with our project, setting us on the same path towards innovation, collaboration, and success. CMG’s recurring theme is to envision the future, set long-term objectives, and then take bold steps to achieve their goals. That is why we believe that not only are they the perfect partnership to forge for our unique ecosystem in Sri Lanka, but they are valuable stakeholders who will ensure the success of the network throughout the country at every level.

Public service is also at the heart of everything The Capital Maharaja Group does. Rallying to aid people in times of natural disasters and devastation, CMG’s CSR project Gammada — a nationwide movement — focuses on the basic needs of forgotten people.

The Future

The Capital Maharaja Group have already provided extremely valuable introductions to Sri Lankan Government officials, potential future partners, and other stakeholders. However, during the launch of the network, CMG will further provide local media coverage for the charging station and vehicle launches through the medium of their television and advertising network.

The group will also help to further identify charging station locations as the network expands and will help to secure a local plant location, local hiring and employment, and establishing the network on the ground. They will also support the ongoing maintenance of the charging station network.

They will also help us gain a foothold in other markets, leveraging their connections with multinationals and foreign dignitaries and officials.

George Cox, Chief Marketing Officer at eTukTuk said of the news, “We are thrilled to be able to announce this to the world. To have such a company as The Capital Maharaja Group with a 20% equity stake in eTukTuk is a real boost considering the stature of the companies they have partnered with over the last 90 years. This is going to propel eTukTuk’s mission significantly across Sri Lanka.”

Driven by new ideas and new opportunities, CMG is now forging a new pathway into transportation rEVolution alongside eTukTuk — the world’s first automotive project built on Cardano — to build a lasting legacy of innovation and opportunity. We are thrilled at the partnership and to be able to announce our shareholders, and we look forward to building a unique and innovative transportation solution throughout Sri Lanka with The Capital Maharaja Group at our side.

#TogetherWeCan

EV Adoption Across the Globe and eTukTuk’s Blockchain-Powered Alternative — Part 1

eTukTuk’s mission comes at a crucial time in our history, where great strides forward in innovative transportation are not just considered a luxury, but a necessity in order for our people and our planet to have an equitable tomorrow. EV adoption varies across the globe, and here, we look at how other countries are tackling the switch away from fossil fuels.

As the planet cries out for the alignment of global partners to work towards a climate-conscious future, many questions have been raised over the viability of how many countries are going to be able to make the switch to efficient charging infrastructure that powers sustainable, electric vehicles (EVs) — heralded as the next epoch of transportation that will reduce our carbon emissions.

Whilst some countries have made great strides towards a sustainable future, to date, there is not one country on the planet that has adopted sustainable infrastructure at 100% EV adoption success rate. Nor is there a country that includes the entirety of mass public transportation, or even a network that is widely accessible and affordable to all. It seems like it just cannot be done by traditional methods, despite the fact that EV policies are now in place with deadlines set around the globe for the total switch over to electric.

So, how are nations going to afford the changes in infrastructure that are required to make the rapid shift towards a reduction in carbon emissions that we so desperately need? How are they going to achieve this? What would a genuine solution look like for those countries that have access to it?

eTukTuk seeks to bring innovative charging solutions and EVs to countries around the globe, (beginning with developing nations), where mass transportation is required to keep populations moving. We will discuss more of the eTukTuk solution in a moment, but first, it is important to consider where we fit in terms of the bigger picture. So let’s consider other EV systems around the world.

Developed Nations — The UK and Europe

As of October 1st, 2022, there were 34,637 publicly available chargers in the UK. You may have seen them at service stations as companies (like Tesla) acquired real estate to service their private customers who could afford the early switch to an electric alternative. This is the same for countries throughout Europe — particularly in Nordic countries like Norway, whose EV sales in 2021 reached 86%, and where there were 19,268 public chargers available. This is relatively large considering that the population is almost 5.5 million there in comparison to the UK’s 68.95 million people.

Norway

Norway is widely considered as the country to follow for its EV adoption rates and success. With a relatively small population, it is easy to see why this has been more easily achievable. According to an article in January 2023 by Energy Intelligence, the country looks set to achieve 100% EV adoption by 2025 — a staggering feat, considering the logistical factors like innovation of technology that is required to support an entire country. The article also goes on to stipulate that this is down to generous government subsidies that have allowed for the rapid uptake.

There are many factors of success exhibited by Norway that can provide inspiration in the expansion of modern transportation solutions for other developed nations. The European Alternative Fuels Observatory reports that Norway provides multiple incentives for battery operated EVs (BEVs) for the Private sector. These include; EVs being exempt from the country’s 25% VAT rate and road tax; reductions in both road and ferry tolls; discounted parking opportunities; and the option to use bus lanes without prosecution. Yet plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are still very popular in the country, for their longer distance capabilities. These factors only scratch the surface, but are indicative of how countries can incentivise the switch to EVs.

However, Norway does not offer widely accessible blockchain-powered solutions to reduce the cost of purchase and operation of their vehicles. But Norway, of course, has other methods that inspire adoption.

Cheap Supply of Electricity

Norway is already ahead of most other countries in terms of infrastructure. With 99% renewable energy (from wind, solar, and hydro-electric), the country’s EV are powered by renewable energy. Therefore, Norway’s energy is affordable. The low rates for energy result in much cheaper prices at the charger versus the petrol pump — roughly 7.3 pence per kWh versus around £1.46 per litre for petrol.

Charging Infrastructure

Norway has invested in first class charging infrastructure to coincide with its renewable energy supply. The capability of that network also means that 4000 drivers can charge their vehicles at any one time, making charging highly accessible and robust.

Norway seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to its renewable energy sources and the infrastructure needed to power EVs. However, they still do not provide the full range of benefits to drivers, or go as far as the eTukTuk ecosystem does. The speed at which this was executed is also indicative of the number of cars on the road in the country, meaning that with a smaller population comes less responsibilities in terms of a robust network that needs to accommodate the masses. We will take a deeper look at that in a minute, but first, let’s dive into the UK and examine EV options and incentives there.

UK

EV adoption rates are still astoundingly low in the UK, which is an indicator of a much slower progression towards electric. There are currently 735,000 privately-owned electric vehicles here in the UK today, and a further 480,000 plug-in hybrids, according to Zap-Map — a trusted source for the UK government. The number of registered vehicles surpassed 40.4 million in March, 2022, a drop in registrations by 3%, which indicates a remarkable shift in the car market in the UK. This could be down to numerous factors like COVID-19, price-hikes in fuel, and the rise of inflation.

“A report by Cambridge Econometrics points out that under a complete ban of ICE vehicles in the UK by 2035, only 60% of the new car market would be made up of EVs. With the 2030 ban in place, this figure rises to 100%. This translates to almost 6.5m more zero-emission vehicles on the roads by 2040. However, under the current circumstances, it is unlikely that this will be realised.

The charging infrastructure and accessibility to financially viable EV options for the mass market are just not there. Teslas, for example, are priced from about £44,990 for the smallest, basic model — not affordable for those on low- to middle-incomes, nor for mass transportation in the public sector.

In Glasgow, the government is banning all petrol and diesel vehicles from use within the city centre, formulating a ‘Low Emission Zone’ like the one that exists in London that came into effect in 2008. Diesel vehicles must meet Euro 6 standards, meaning all vehicles registered before September 2015 will be illegal in the zone. For petrol vehicles, it is all vehicles registered before 2006 (Euro 4 standards) that will be fined on entry.

The same incentive is being rolled out in Edinburgh. The Scottish Government had previously pledged £30 million by the end of 2022 towards the transition to EVs. Their mission, which pledges to support families on low incomes to make the switch, is focused around support for zero emission community transport and car clubs, as well as funding interest free loans for electric vehicles. However, such incentives are yet to be made available.

Amongst other incentives, the EVHS — the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme — was set up to provide a 75% discount for those wishing to make the switch to electric and install a charger at home. However, in June 2022, previous grants to help buy EVs were disbanded for privately owned cars, and whilst there are still some available for commercial vehicles, those grants are now dwindling.

So, it is possible that the UK will face a bumpy road when it comes to making the switch, and it could be a major contributor to the need for increased public transportation as more people struggle to afford EVs of their own. And, in case anyone is wondering about when the UK needs to have fully switched to electricity, here’s a quick reminder — 2030!

Developing Nations — Africa and Asia

The gap between ICE vehicles and EV adoption in developing countries is even wider. In Kenya, Africa, for example, there are only 350 EVs in the entire country, in comparison with 2.2 million registered fossil fuel-powered vehicles. South Africa, in contrast, has more EVs, of which there are over 1000. Despite being the most e-mobility-minded country on its continent, this is unfortunately a drop in the ocean compared with the 12 million ICE vehicles on the roads there, today.

Conversely, EV adoption rates are considered the biggest in Asia. The electric vehicle charging station market in Asia-Pacific represents the largest market worldwide for electric vehicle charging systems. This was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2021 — with a projected forecast of increase rising to USD 30.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 42% — representing a 38% global market share. However, this is due to the sheer size of Asia, and it is not indicative of the yield per region.

The rise predicted works in conjunction with government policies. As we have mentioned previously, Sri Lanka is one country that will replace 100% of state-owned vehicles, 100% of passenger cars, and 100% of two- and three-wheeler vehicles, with EVs or hybrid models by 2040, contributing to the EV market growth, which shows the urgent need for EV solutions and charging infrastructure across the country.

There is potential for further growth in this sector, but with the current lack of an affordable electric vehicle model, the charging station market is expected to face challenges and is likely to be hampered by the high initial cost of electric vehicles. That’s where eTukTuk is ready to step up — with the low purchase cost of vehicles and robust and widely accessible charging infra.

But many people have asked us, “why is eTukTuk tackling developing countries?” And “how are we going to make a change?”

EVs were originally sold to the private sector in the 1990s, marketed for their clean output. As the purchase of EVs became popular, the environmental benefits of their use were considered to be the main draw of their purchase. However, we must go further to increase the adoption of electric vehicles. That includes surpassing the expectations of pragmatists as well as conservative buyers. So, how does this apply to rolling out the eTukTuk EV solution?

Join us next time for Part 2 of Why a Transportation Ecosystem Built on Blockchain Will Be Beneficial For Everybody. In our next instalment, we will discuss what eTukTuk’s blockchain-powered solution looks like, and how it will work within Sri Lanka and other countries around the globe.

Sasiranga De Silva Appointed Advisor

eTukTuk is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Advisor to the Board. Sasiranga De Silva, an automotive engineering consultant and entrepreneur, will join eTukTuk’s Board of Advisors, and join our mission to rEVolutionise transportation in Sri Lanka.

Sasiranga De Silva already has incredible credentials in the automotive industry, with a wealth of expertise in green mobility solutions and automotive engineering skills.

He will play a key role in supporting eTukTuk’s mission to build and expand an affordable and accessible network of charging stations as well as the eTukTuk proprietary EV all across urban and suburban areas to coincide with our mission to bring cleaner, safer, and fairer transportation solutions to emerging economies.

His appointment will directly benefit the roll-out of eTukTuk’s robust charging infrastructure on the ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city.

eTukTuk’s Chief Information Officer, Seth Ward said, “De Silva’s extensive experience in developing sustainable transport initiatives and his deep knowledge of EVs will contribute to the project’s expansion as we continue building the eTukTuk charging network in Sri Lanka. His hands-on experience in the region will help strengthen and grow our expanding presence in Colombo, as eTukTuk works to build a cleaner, transparent and more sustainable future.”

Instrumental in the Southeast Asian green mobility industry, De Silva received a $ 20,000 USD grant from the UN Environment Programme as part of the Asia-Pacific Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge, recognising young people who develop innovative ideas to promote energy-efficient, low-waste and low-carbon lifestyles.

He was also the winner of the Green Energy Champion award in 2019 in the private sector category, as well as a recipient of the jury award at the Impact Hero competition organised by Earth Company, Japan. De Silva has also achieved so much as a businessman. As founder and CEO of ThermalR Industries Pvt Ltd and a former Mechanical Engineering professor at the University of Motratuwa, Sasiranga De Silva is renowned as an automotive consultant who launched an EV startup that developed an affordable conversion kit to allow TukTuks to run on electricity.

De Silva’s passion and depth of experience have played a vital role in developing regulations and standardising the transport sector in Sri Lanka, which is why he aligns with eTukTuk’s mission today.

Speaking on his appointment, De Silva said, “TukTuk drivers are a crucial pillar of the Sri Lankan economy, but many are struggling to make a living due to unaffordable fuel prices. eTukTuk is at the forefront of building an efficient and shared EV infrastructure to lessen drivers’ dependence on fossil fuels. eTukTuk will enable a new generation of efficient transportation by introducing strategically located EV charging stations and electric vehicles that will benefit the environment and Sri Lankan society.”

De Silva will take the role of advising eTukTuk about electric vehicles, batteries, charging stations and their placement, as well as helping to hire on-the-ground engineers who will help install and build the network infrastructure in the country.

Having recently won a government tender to convert the first 200 IC to EVs, De Silva is aligned with eTukTuk’s mission and will bring valued knowledge, understanding, and drive to help the network succeed.

The team at eTukTuk are very pleased about Sasiranga De Silva’s appointment, and we look forward to the coming months ahead as we begin to expand our mission into Sri Lanka.

Sasiranga De Silva will join our existing Board of Advisors which includes Niro Cooke, Group Director on the Main Board of Capital Maharaja, Dimantha Jayawardena, President of SLACMA, the Sri Lankan Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, and Sheran Fernando, Co-Founder of InnoSolve Lanka.

To find out more about eTukTuk’s mission, head to https://etuktuk.io now.

This is a boarding call for the TukTribe! Please board eTukTuk at the Station!

Welcome to the Station App — a one-stop shop for our TukTribe to earn rewards and be part of the transportation rEVolution!

eTukTuk is delighted to announce that we have developed Station App — a rewards platform designed to incentivise community growth and build awareness around eTukTuk’s rEVolutionary transportation network.

eTukTuk Station App is designed to make engagement fun, turning community members into brand ambassadors. Users can join in tasks and be part of a growing community as they complete missions to earn rewards. We will not only be able to reward our community for helping the network grow, but with further development, we will be able to offer a seamless ride-hailing service that will provide functionality for drivers, who in the future, will be able to access this app as part of their everyday service to passengers and even to earn rewards themselves.

But today, the Alpha version of our app has plenty to offer community members who are ready to become brand ambassadors to eTukTuk’s unique ecosystem. (Stay tuned for the Beta in the near future!) We have so many plans to turn this into a Super app designed to help the entire eTukTuk community — with drivers at the heart of everything we do — so that we can all become connected as part of our sharing economy.

We want you — our amazing TukTribe — to help us spread the word about eTukTuk — the world’s first automotive project on Cardano. Users can earn TXPs and lead the way by completing tasks that will take them ever closer to winning. Users can collect points for their chance to win a share of the 4,000,000 $TUK token grand prize.

So, Why now? Why Station App?

We are actively increasing our user base so that we can create amazing things together. Here’s why:

eTukTuk is incredibly dedicated to making the lives of drivers and our global community better. Right now, 99% of us are breathing polluted air that exceeds World Health Organisation guidelines. That’s over 7.95 billion of us breathing in pollution that is not good for our lungs and that makes us sick.

Something that we found shocking in our development, was that there are 7 million annual premature and preventable deaths linked to CO2 that’s created by internal combustion vehicles (ICE), (World Health Organisation).

One of the main drivers of pollution is the combustion of fossil fuels, i.e. when we fill up our vehicles with fossil fuels and drive, it becomes part of the global carbon emissions that are choking our planet.

Right now, 63% of all carbon emissions emanate from developing countries (CGDEV). This is caused by a lack of innovative technologies and infrastructure that will help countries move away from carbon-intensive vehicles. For that reason (and so many more), developing nations are disproportionately affected by CO2; caught in a chokehold of stagnation that is preventing them from progressing beyond ICE vehicles.

To date, nations like Sri Lanka (eTukTuk’s first territory) must import costly fossil fuels into the country in order to keep people moving. However, the soaring rise in fuel prices (by as much as 50% in some regions) is preventing people on low- to middle-incomes from even affording the fuel that powers their jobs, their access to healthcare, and tourism, and their livelihoods.

Not only this, but 1.4 billion people across the globe are still unbanked and many people are functioning on low incomes without access to financial opportunities to help them improve their situation. That’s one of the reasons eTukTuk is utilising blockchain technology and we are proud to put people-centric solutions first.

The eTukTuk Solution

eTukTuk is driving forward a new era in transportation. Powered by the sharing economy and underpinned by the excellence of Web3, we want to incentivise our community to spread awareness of this project. Help us reach every corner of the earth, because when our vehicles begin their journey on Sri Lankan roads late this year, the reduction in carbon emissions will have an impact for everyone.

So, when many people ask our team, “Why Station App?”… “Why now?”. We say because now is the time to work together to put an end to fossil fuels, to help eradicate ill-health caused by CO2 and eradicate financial disparity, and to empower financial inclusivity and opportunities for all.

Together, we can rEVolutionise transportation, help nations sever the ties that bind them to fossil fuels, and we can install innovative infrastructure that will provide a robust and reliable network to keep people moving, earning, and living well — long into the future.

eTukTuk is designed to boost local manufacturing, local employment, and a driver’s take-home pay which can be up to 4x what they traditionally earn from an ICE TukTuk. Our vehicles are made from our patented roll cage design and are therefore safer than the models that are currently available to buy.

This isn’t just about eTukTuk. This is about all of us — finding a way forward so that everyone, everywhere, all across the globe can access clean, safe, and fair transportation, that doesn’t make us sick, that doesn’t make us poor, and that doesn’t hold us back or destroy our planet.

Through education and awareness, we can empower everybody to play a part — no matter how small — in rEVolutionising transportation for good.

FYI

The grand prize campaign for 4,000,000 $TUK will end just after TGE* and participants will be air-dropped their tokens shortly after this.

With Station App, our community can support the rEVolution in the most fun and exciting ways and get rewarded for their meaningful input and interactions with eTukTuk. Even more opportunities will come after TGE as we upgrade our app to the Beta version — so make sure to stay involved and watch out for more amazing chances to be part of eTukTuk’s bid to become the first automotive project on Cardano to provide an entire ecosystem of solutions.

We are working hard to incentivise our community so that we can grow as big as we need to in order to tackle carbon emissions, financial exclusion, and CO2-related health conditions. We can then expand our blueprint into the regions that could really use this type of solution to kickstart innovation and sustainability for the future.

Our underlying goal? Empower drivers to earn more money by reducing the costs to buy an EV (which are incredibly expensive all across the globe!), so that they can move away from high-polluting TukTuks that currently form the backbone of transportation networks in many developing countries.

Okay, You’ve Convinced us. So, How Do We Join?

Well, we’re glad you asked. Station App is a super handy platform where you can connect your wallet and earn rewards and it’s all but a click away! Head to station.etuktuk.io and follow the instructions to set up your account. It’s really that simple!

The app will allow users from around the world to earn points (TXP) by playing games, solving quizzes, and winning fun challenges. The players with the most TXPs will earn awesome prizes from our Rewards Pool filled with more than 4 million $TUK tokens! The first 10K power users in the Leaderboard will also share in some super nice rewards in exchange for the support and time spent spreading awareness of our vision for a greener world.

Want to learn more? Why not download our super handy Quick Start Guide and learn more about how you can interact with the Station App.

Before You Go…

This is a big project and the challenges are enormous in scope. That’s why we need large numbers of community members to get involved. We cannot make great changes independently. But, together we can achieve so very much. This is ultimately eTukTuk’s goal; To rEVolutionise transportation for the benefit of everyone. Station App is one of the key components that will help us achieve this.

Economies are desperately trying to find ways of doing this for themselves, but there are so many restrictions as they seek to keep their countries moving. That’s why eTukTuk exists. We are the platform that can help transportation networks across the globe transcend the restrictions of fossil fuels. We are designed solely to sever the ties that bind us to fossil fuels and internal combustion vehicles. That’s why we have set out on our mission and we invite YOU to join us and take part in the rEVolution in a fun and engaging way so that everyone, everywhere, can learn more and be involved in changing transportation for the good of us all.

#TogetherWeCan | #TogetherWeShould | #TogetherWeMust

eTukTuk

Find us on Website | Telegram | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

*Stay tuned for announcements about TGE via our social media. Update coming sometime in the week beginning 12th June, 2023.

eTukTuk defines itself as the first automotive project completely built on Cardano Blockchain. A project built for the people and powered by the people.

We´re building an Electric Vehicle Charging Network that will be shared by billions around the world, providing sustainable transportation solutions that eliminate carbon emissions, financial disparity, and poor health throughout the developing world, all powered by the sharing economy and completely fueled by our most awaited token: $TUK

🎁 What is the Station Community Rewards App?

eTukTuk is proud to announce the release of our Station Community Rewards App!

The app will allow users from around the world the ability to earn points (TXP from now on) by playing games, solving quizzes, and winning fun challenges. The players with the most TXPs will earn awesome prizes from our Rewards Pool filled with more than 4 million $TUK tokens! First 10K power users in the Leaderboard will also share and get super nice rewards in exchange for the support and time spent supporting our vision for a greener world.

By signing in and using the app you will learn about new technologies developed by us like our charging stations and green technology to make the world a better place to live. You will also learn about the economics behind our project and everything related to our super powerful $TUK token which will power the whole eTukTuk Ecosystem. Will also meet awesome entrepreneurs, and get to participate in different Community events and activities while supporting our work and helping us to spread the word.

In short, our app truly rewards the dedication and hard work undertaken by the user. Are you ready to play?

⚡ How do TXP and App´s Levels work?

For Station our community is more than a community: we are family and we want to make sure that we work all together and earn all together. We also want to make sure that those who work the hardest to promote our work receive the highest and most valuable rewards.

As a result, we’ve implemented a points and level system. It’s designed to bring out that competitive streak deep inside of you.

By completing actions in the Station App each user will receive what we call “TXPs” (in-app points). Earn and accumulate the most TXPs you can in order to rank better in the final Leaderboard; because with a higher rank, higher (and better) rewards will come.

Station App will have 6 General Ranks and 3 Top Special Prizes:

RANKS

Rank 1 — TukTuk Novice: The lower level or rank in Station App. Users in the range going from 5001–10000 in the final Leaderboard will make the cut into this level earning each 32.8 $TUKs ($2.46 USD) for their enthusiastic dedication to the app.

Rank 2 — Eco-Enthusiast: Users in the range going from 1001–5000 in the final Leaderboard will be located into this level earning each a reward of 96 $TUKs ($7.2 USD).

Rank 3 — Community Day!: Users in the range going from 251–1000 in the final Leaderboard will join this vibrant community earning each a super cool reward of 200 $TUKs ($15 USD) for their active participation.

Rank 4 — Green Crusader: Users in the range going from 101–250 in the final Leaderboard will gather together here earning a commendable prize of 1,200 $TUKs ($90 USD) each.

Rank 5 — Electro-Veterans: Users in the range going from 11–100 in the final Leaderboard will find their final place here winning each 3,200 $TUKs ($240 USD) as a reward for their electrifying performance and commitment to the project.

Rank 6 — Zero-Emission Heroes: Users in the range going from 4–10 in the final Leaderboard will receive each 6,680 $TUKs ($500 USD) for their exceptional dedication to a sustainable future!

SPECIAL PRIZES

Third Place: The user owning the 3rd Place will get a reward of 20,000 $TUKs ($1500 USD) for his/her exceptional commitment.

Second Place: The reward for the Silver winner is 60,000 $TUKs ($4000 USD) in recognition for such outstanding achievement!

First Place: Mastering the whole Leaderboard is not easy so the First Place owner will get 120,000 $TUKs ($9000 USD) as a very special reward!

The most dedicated Station users will receive the highest accolade for their true grit and determination in promoting eTukTuk message and vision to the max!

😮 What happens if too many people sign up to the Station App? Won’t the rewards be diminished?

Don’t worry, we will consistently be reviewing and regulating to ensure complete fairness. During the competition, we will monitor signups and track the progress taking care of everyone and everything to secure a fair prize for a fair job.

In short, we will continue to work behind the scenes to ensure that everyone is fairly rewarded and that no one suffers as a result of the popularity or users trying to cheat. Your only task is to join and learn and support by doing; accumulate as much TXPs as you can to beat the Leaderboard and rank higher in a fair way.

💸 How do you earn TXPs?

You can earn points in different ways, but typically, you will need to engage with different tasks and complete them the correct way in order to earn points.

Example of different tasks in the Station Task´s Feed

Complete lots of tasks to receive points in exchange. Tasks can vary and usually involve promoting eTukTuk and $TUK Token in as many ways as possible.

Some tasks have quizzes attached. This enables the eTukTuk Community to learn and really become passionate about our very own Community and Products while completing the tasks.

You can also earn TXPs by referring friends to become new users. The more people you refer to the app, the more points you will earn and faster you will climb to the top!

Tasks are updated daily so there is incentive to log in every single day!

🎰 Station Spin n’ Win? Yes: we do have a Jackpot Machine!

Spin the Jackpot and EARN amazing prizes every day!

This is another way for you to earn lots of super cool prizes and even get more TXPs in one sitting!

All you need to do is head over daily and spin the jackpot machine to try your chance at winning a jackpot, additional rewards in $TUK token, and even CASH!

It’s another incentive to try and earn the highest level of our Community Rewards Program. Rewards will either be delivered instantly or within a few days depending on what you win!

🏆 A Leaderboard… and even more!

A community reward program that prides itself on being built for the best, should have a proper Leaderboard.

Station Leaderboard: automatically updates every 12 hours!

Our Leaderboard ranks and tracks every signed-up member competing within our campaign. This allows you to track your own progress while keeping an eye on your competition.

The Leaderboard updates automatically and is shown off in real time. Check it daily for an extra boost of motivation.

🎧 Need further help or facing a problem? We got you covered!

Right at the bottom of your user profile´s screen, you will find this little hyperlink (Contact Help Desk) which will allow you to directly contact our support team to report any issues you may find with the app. Once reported, our super-fast support crew will try to address the issue and reply back as soon as possible.

Please include all the info you can in the support ticket so we can act fast and accurately.

Use our Support Help Desk whenever you find some issues and want to direct report

❤️ Final words…

We’re really excited to keep building this amazing community together with you. Now, powered by eTukTuk´s Community Rewards Program, we aim to attract more users to grow our eTukTuk family while keeping engagement rates high and rewards valuable!

So, what are you waiting for? Time is GOLD here! The more time you lost, the less time you have to earn TXPs and rank better! See you on top of the hill!

Sign up to Station App here: https://station.etuktuk.io

Official Website: https://etuktuk.io/

$TUK Token Website: https://tuktoken.io/

Executives from Capital Maharaja Group, InnoSolve Lanka, and SLACMA join eTukTuk’s Advisory Board, bringing decades of knowledge to further development ahead of launch in Sri Lanka in 2023.

eTukTuk’s unique ecosystem (the first automotive project of its kind: learn more HERE) is gathering pace as we head towards our launch in Sri Lanka later this year, with the appointment of new esteemed Advisors who will work alongside our Board of Advisors (Meet the team).

Sheran Fernando, Co-Founder of InnoSolve Lanka; and Dimantha Jayawardena, President of SLACMA, the Sri Lankan Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, will work alongside eTukTuk to propel its seamless integration into the country in the coming months.

Having recently announced our partnership with the Capital Maharaja Group, it is also our privilege to announce that Niro Cooke, Director on the Main Board at CMG, will also be working with eTukTuk in an Advisory capacity.

The Advisors’ extensive professional experience across multiple disciplines and industries (which includes the development of large-scale government infrastructure and energy projects, the formulation of mobility policy in Sri Lanka, and within the highest levels of government), will allow eTukTuk to gain insight into the needs of the transportation system within the region.

All three Advisors will be responsible for working directly with eTukTuk as we continue to develop our sustainable and accessible network of charging stations and electric vehicles within urban and suburban areas of Sri Lanka.

Redefining Transport Together

Niro Cooke will provide the team with knowledge on how to navigate Sri Lanka’s current electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Cooke said: “eTukTuk is redefining transportation in the developing world. Creating incentives for people to make the switch from Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) to EVs is the next step in achieving wide-scale EV adoption. At Capital Maharaja, we believe in having the courage to be different; working with a company like eTukTuk which shares this ethos aligns well with our values.”

Sheran Fernando, Co-Founder of InnoSolve, will bring vast expertise in the digitalisation of mobility and will provide a distinguished voice in the formulation of mobility policy in Sri Lanka. Commenting on his appointment, Fernando said: “Having worked in both the mobility and sustainability industry for many years, I’m looking forward to bringing my knowledge of the local transport sector to eTukTuk as it rolls out its sustainable and accessible transportation solution in Sri Lanka.”

Dimantha Jayawardena, President of SLACMA, the Sri Lankan Automotive Component Manufacturers Association, will support the team with his prior experience in navigating the Sri Lankan transport and manufacturing system. He will help us to develop the most effective ecosystem that is suited to Sri Lanka and the people who will use it every day. Jayawardena commented: “eTukTuk and I share a vision for Sri Lanka’s transport and manufacturing system and together, we’re committed to delivering the best transportation and manufacturing system possible to the drivers and users of TukTuks — and electric vehicles across the country. I believe this journey with the eTukTuk team will make a real difference to the transportation system as we know it.”

eTukTuk’s Chief Information Officer, Seth Ward said: “Cooke, Fernando, and Jayawardena’s participation in the development of eTukTuk will help contribute to the expansion of the project, and be of tremendous value to our team as we gear up to launch our network in Sri Lanka later this year.”

Enjoy reading about eTukTuk’s epic journey? You can find more information and connect with the team and the growing eTukTuk community on Telegram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium, and Facebook.
Want to read more about why we are heading into Sri Lanka? Why not head to https://etuktuk.io/why-sri-lanka/ or visit https://etuktuk.io/srilanka/.

The greatest and most successful projects — no matter when they are founded — derive from, and are driven, by a collective passion to make things better. This could not be truer of eTukTuk and the eTukTuk team, whose involvement in this unique ecosystem stems largely from their own personal experiences and will to do more to promote a cleaner and fairer future.

Mohit Ahuja — Head of Social Media at eTukTuk knows only too well about the effects of air pollution — the same effects that are currently choking countries around the globe. He recently shared a little of his story with Lauren Meek — Head of Content at eTukTuk, to explain why this type of solution means so much to him.

Lauren: Tell us a bit about where you were born.

Mohit: I was born in Uttar Pradesh; a state with a total population of 228 million located in the northern part of India. I’ve spent the majority of my life (29 years) in major metro cities in India, using both private and public transportation to commute. While we were taught about the adverse effects of pollution in my school, I never took it seriously and always took it for granted that maybe it was the same across the globe and that we are no different in terms of feeling its impact. This is what I thought — until very recently.

Lauren: What changed your mind about your situation?

Mohit: Two events really changed my perception towards pollution:

1. I’ve been playing football since I was a little kid and in my recent travels to Switzerland, I could feel that I wasn’t getting tired as fast as I used to back home. My lungs felt lighter and the air felt much cleaner. It actually made me more aware of what we face back home and the kind of conditions we live in. Since my trip, I have found it hard to understand how more people are not doing more to bring about a radical change to something which is evidently seriously affecting us. The AQI numbers were 200 times worse than what I faced back in Switzerland. This has totally shocked me.

2. One of my friends who’s been an asthma patient for over a decade suffered severe and abrupt nosebleeds to such an extent that we had to get him admitted to a hospital. After multiple diagnoses and tests, the doctor told us that it’s pretty common around this time of the year — the time right after Diwali when the air quality gets from bad to worse due to the nationwide burning of crackers. This evidently causes inflammation in the nasal tract. It was again a shocking revelation that the air we so badly need to live has reached levels which are highly concerning.

Lauren: Have you taken any steps to improve air quality in your home?

Mohit: During the pandemic, I was the first one to suggest we get an air purifier for all our rooms because now it’s subconsciously ingrained in my head that the air we breathe is not clean. I can’t even imagine the plight of the families who can’t afford these expensive devices yet have to live in densely populated and polluted regions. The fact that these people don’t even contribute much to the overall pollution yet are one of the primary targets of these adverse effects, is astounding and totally unacceptable.

Lauren: Have you taken any other steps to help reduce air pollution? What can people do today?

Mohit: Since I awakened to this realisation, I’ve become more receptive to carpooling and the use of public transportation to commute. I also regularly consider alternative and sustainable methods to reduce my own carbon footprint. I’m nowhere close to making a substantial impact, but I hope my personal experiences can inspire others to take the necessary steps. True change can only be brought about in collaboration, but it starts with small steps.

I think the eTukTuk network is really unique. I know nothing like it on the planet. Drivers — who are currently on low incomes — will be able to afford an eTukTuk so they can make the switch to electric sooner rather than later. Not only that, but the cost of running the vehicle will mean that they are paying out very little when compared with the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles they currently drive.

The biggest difference will be the zero tailpipe emissions of the eTukTuk. Without the CO2, entire communities will be able to breathe more cleanly than before. Just imagine the difference in Colombo, where there are 1.2 million TukTuks.

This unique network will have life-changing effects on everyone. Not only that, but I am excited to see the overall impact to people as this becomes more widely accessible in Sri Lanka and beyond.

To chat more to Mohit about his experiences, you can join our Telegram chat at https://t.me/etuktuk, or head to https://etuktuk.io to find out more about the first automotive project on Cardano.

The Benefits of Blockchain

Foreword by Lauren Meek, Head of Content, eTukTuk.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the new era of transportation. They will provide long-lasting benefits to adopters who switch away from internal combustion engines (ICE) which currently cause dense air pollution and CO2-related health conditions for people all over the world. Not only that, but our reliance on fossil fuels has global nations in a chokehold, with rising fuel prices and dwindling supply.

The switch to electric is inevitable. Many countries have already formulated policies which aim for the 100% replacement of fossil fuel-guzzling passenger cars and other vehicles with EVs. Sri Lanka’s uptake, for example, will happen by 2040.

However, it doesn’t make sense that we just make the switch to an electric vehicle. What does make sense, is that by buying that electric vehicle, you become part of a widely accessible and affordable network that makes the switch faster, easier, and more affordable — a future-proof ecosystem powered by the sharing economy, designed to increase a driver’s take-home pay and reduce operational costs. Such a network can only be powered by the Cardano blockchain for the ultimate efficiency and people-centric technology available.

Sukhjeevan Uppal — Chief Technology officer at eTukTuk recently shared his thoughts with Nasdaq on how blockchain technology can facilitate something greater for users than just a switch away from fossil fuels.

Read the original article HERE.

How Blockchain Technology is the Key to Building Sustainable Transport Networks

Sukhjeevan Uppal — Chief Technology Officer, eTukTuk.

As the world faces the dual challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, industries that were once seen as contributing to the problem are now stepping up to offer sustainable solutions together. Among them, the blockchain and electric vehicle (EV) industries have displayed an unlikely synergy that could represent a major step towards reducing carbon emissions and realizing a greener future.

Blockchain technology was once decried as environmentally problematic due to its reliance on energy-inefficient problem-solving systems where users compete to solve complex problems and earn the right to add blocks to the blockchain. With this system, known as Proof-of-Work (POW), more computational power offers a greater competitive advantage, while also guzzling more energy. However, not all blockchains have the same environmental impact. A system known as Proof-of-Stake (POS), which relies on market incentives and validators that put down a stake in exchange for the right to add blocks to the blockchain, offers an alternative that removes the need for energy-intensive competition, reducing energy consumption by 99.95% and removing CO2 emissions from the equation. In September 2022, the second largest blockchain, Ethereum, successfully transitioned from a POW system to a POS system, signalling a sea change for the industry towards a more sustainable future.

In a similar vein, cars and other forms of transportation represent another industry with significant environmental impact that is making headway in its transition towards a greener future. These polluters have been seeing a shift from fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engines (ICE) to battery-powered electric engines. Unlike with blockchain, however, it’s not as easy as switching from one system to another, and simply developing an electric vehicle (EV) is not a silver bullet for the industry’s emissions. Refueling infrastructure that has been built up for ICE vehicles over the past century will essentially have to be replicated as charging stations, both in homes and out on the road, to make a switch to these vehicles a viable alternative for drivers.

According to the Center for Global Development, 63% of the world’s total carbon emissions are generated from the developing world, and 88% of these emissions originate in Asia or Africa. 270 million TukTuks — a small motorized vehicle akin to a rickshaw — and other two- and three-wheelers underpin the transportation sector throughout these regions. Yet despite their size, they all emit more CO2 than an everyday car. This is a well-understood problem, but shifting to environmentally friendly solutions is cost-prohibitive for individuals and governments alike. For individuals, the price of a new EV and the immaturity of the second-hand market presents a steep hurdle. On the other hand, governments would have to make sizable investments into the R&D and the installation of charging infrastructure that matches the needs of the local environment and economy, alleviates the range anxiety of citizens, and is sufficiently future-proof.

The developed world has made promises to bankroll environmental solutions for the developing world, but has yet to follow through sufficiently. Enter blockchain. Blockchain could enable individuals from across the globe to step up and provide support where their governments have shirked their responsibilities. This technology could form the basis of a shared economy where people in the developed world could earn rewards for supporting the development of charging infrastructure in the developing world and participate in micro-lending programs that enable drivers in these parts of the world to transition from their old, inefficient ICE vehicles for clean EVs.

Beyond just funding change, on the ground, blockchain technology could underpin the infrastructure for payment, charging, and vehicle sharing that would be necessary to build a reliable transport network. Payments on the blockchain can be processed much faster and with more efficiency than traditional ledgers and technologies, utilizing less power and natural resources to process transactions between drivers and passengers. Blockchain payment fees are also a fraction of traditional fiat payments, which would further reduce EV charging costs — another very important benefit for EV drivers in developing nations. Furthermore, almost seamless payments for charging would cut downtime at charging stations, preventing long queues for drivers who need to get back on the road.

In terms of vehicle sharing, imagine a blockchain-based platform where drivers who don’t yet have the funds to switch to an EV can pool their money to share a vehicle. Owners can register their vehicles on the platform and the blockchain ensures that the shared vehicle is authentic, that it belongs to the designated owners, and specifies the terms and conditions for how the vehicle is shared, such as usage periods, and insurance requirements.

Blockchain has the potential to play a significant role in the transition towards a greener future for the transportation industry. While EVs are an important step forward, the challenges of infrastructure development in the developing world are substantial. As the world continues to grapple with climate change and environmental degradation, innovative technologies like blockchain offer a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow.

Join the team on Telegram at https://t.me/etuktuk. See you there!