How exactly does a rickshaw run on gas? And what is the game of the ‘starting lever’ next to the driver’s seat?

Auto rickshaws are considered to be the most popular and cheapest means of transportation in Indian cities. Millions of passengers travel by rickshaw every day. However, many people do not know how exactly a rickshaw runs on gas and what the small starting lever or choke lever next to the driver’s seat is used for. Let’s understand in simple terms.

Where is the gas stored?

Today, most auto rickshaws run on CNG or LPG. Although some old rickshaws also run on petrol, CNG rickshaws are widely used in cities to reduce pollution. The CNG tank is installed at the back of the rickshaw or under the seat. Gas is stored under high pressure in this tank.

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Working together of gas and engine

When the driver starts the rickshaw, the CNG in the tank reaches the engine at low pressure through a regulator. After that, the gas and air are mixed in proper proportion and go into the cylinder of the engine. The spark from the spark plug ignites this mixture and the energy produced moves the piston. This energy reaches the gearbox and wheels to propel the rickshaw forward.

Working of the starting lever

Many rickshaws have a small starting lever next to the driver’s seat. This lever plays an important role especially in rickshaws with old carburetors. The engine does not start immediately when the engine is cold in the morning or after the rickshaw has been stopped for a long time. In that case the driver pulls out or raises the lever. This increases the amount of fuel in the engine and helps in starting the engine. This lever is reset after the engine warms up.

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Technology of new rickshaws

In rickshaws with newer fuel injection technology, this process is mostly automatic. So such rickshaws do not have a separate choke lever or it has to be used very less. Some people think of this lever as a gear or speed increaser, but it is not. Its main purpose is to help the engine start easily. This lever has no direct relationship with the speed of the vehicle after the engine is started.

CNG-powered rickshaws are less polluting than petrol-powered rickshaws and have lower fuel consumption. This reduces the cost of drivers and also benefits the environment. A CNG rickshaw can provide reliable service for many years with proper maintenance, timely servicing and safe operation of the gas system. Hence, rickshaw is not only a cheap means of travel but has become an important part of modern and eco-friendly transportation.