India’s urban centers are some of the most dense and populous in the world, and its roadways are notoriously difficult to navigate. One of the most iconic and longstanding features of India’s vibrant cities are the swaths of colorful three-wheeled rickshaws called tuk-tuks that are used as taxis. India’s tuk-tuks are cheap to own, operate, and easy to weave through crowded roadways, but they are usually antiquated designs that expel significant pollutants from their small two-stroke powerplants. Hyundai hopes to change that, as it partnered with TVS to unveil a vision of modernized three- and four-wheeled electric rickshaws at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo. They have thoughtful features like height-adjustable suspension to navigate flooded roads, folding seats to accommodate wheelchairs, enhanced crash safety, and angled windshields for increased visibility.
TVS Motor is a giant Indian motorcycle manufacturer that also produces three-wheeled tuk-tuks, so it’s the perfect way for Hyundai to gain insight into the unique requirements of durable and affordable rickshaws. Even new rickshaws that TVS sells aren’t vastly different than the ones sold for the past sixty-or-so years, but Hyundai’s three-wheeled E3W concept was designed from a clean slate. Its electric powertrain enables a flat floor that has a lengthened wheelbase to maximize occupant comfort, and its slanted windshield (complete with a wiper) enhances visibility over the old fashioned vertical ones. Larger tires make it better suited for gnarled road surfaces, but it also features a tow hook for recovery should it succumb to a particularly bad pothole.
These models are just concepts for now, but a huge innovation Hyundai briefly mentions is a height-adjustable body to allow them to safely navigate waterlogged streets during the heavy rains of India’s monsoon season. This feature not only helps taxi drivers continue offering service, but Hyundai says it also opens the door for these little machines to function as rapid-response vehicles in emergency situations. There are no details on how the concepts will be able to adjust their height, but the idea is great.
Hyundai says there is no binding agreement between it and TVS, and that the E4W micro four-wheeler is still under review. These smart little people movers have the potential to make navigating crowded Indian streets cleaner, safer, and more comfortable, but if they are going to catch on they need to be affordable. Beyond what’s already been covered, Hyundai hasn’t released many other details about the concepts, but they’re great ideas that we hope can make a big impact.
