Not even cleaning the air.

While India is working on massive green energy projects, it's also doubling down on expanding Coal Capacity [0] as a short term solution to energy independence. China's doing the same

[0] - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/india-increase-coal-...

With EVs, even if they are powered by 100% coal electricity, they still produce less CO2 and pollution than an ICEV.

Considering how dirty most gas-powered rickshaws have been, I have to assume that the electric versions are much much cleaner in this regard.

The e-rickshaws use lead acid batteries and "disposal infrastructure" is just chucking it to the side if it's dead.

A CNG auto-rickshaw is also similarly light on fumes.

In all honesty, all three-wheelers need to be banned in India, but it will never happen because that's political suicide.

Someone will collect the lead for scrap, it's valuable enough that even in wealthy countries it is worth stealing.

I take it you've never taken AP Chem.

Here's how you extract lead from lead acid batteries in the developing world (video is from Pakistan, but same principle in India, Vietnam, Phillipines, etc) [0], because Western Europe level environmental and labor laws aren't a thing.

[0] - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kNGg0P7B5fI

So what's the problem? The battery is clearly recycled, it's not going to end up in a river, burned or in landfill.

That's great and all, but lead is nasty stuff. I really hope it's use will diminish. Lead handling is always fraught with risks at every turn.

What do you mean gas powered, they used to run two-stroke engines. Burning half oil.