Vietnamese Students Develop App to Revolutionize Rickshaw Battery Swapping in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh - In the bustling streets of Dhaka, rickshaws are a ubiquitous sight. However, their reliance on lead-acid batteries poses a significant environmental challenge. Two Vietnamese students, Linh Dao and Minh Nguyen, are revolutionizing the rickshaw industry with their innovative app, "Green Gears."

Dao and Nguyen, while studying at a Vietnamese university, were introduced to the Bangladeshi rickshaw industry through a development project. They were struck by the environmental impact of used lead-acid batteries, which often end up in landfills, leaching harmful toxins into the soil and water.

Determined to find a solution, Dao and Nguyen developed Green Gears, a mobile application that connects rickshaw drivers with a network of battery swapping stations. Here's how it works:

• Rickshaw drivers download the Green Gears app.
• The app locates nearby swapping stations.
• Drivers simply pull up to a station and swap their depleted battery for a fully charged one.
• Payment is handled electronically through the app.

The benefits of Green Gears are multifaceted:

• Environmental Sustainability: By eliminating the need for disposal of lead-acid batteries, Green Gears promotes a cleaner Dhaka. The company utilizes lithium-ion batteries, known for their extended lifespan and eco-friendly recycling processes.
• Driver Efficiency: Rickshaw drivers no longer waste valuable time searching for battery vendors or waiting for their batteries to charge. Swapping takes just minutes, allowing drivers to maximize their earnings.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Green Gears offers competitive pricing for battery swaps, ensuring long-term cost savings for drivers compared to traditional lead-acid battery replacements.

Dao and Nguyen are currently in the pilot stage of their project, partnering with rickshaw drivers and station owners in a designated Dhaka district. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Green Gears is a game-changer," says rickshaw driver Ali Hassan. "Before, I would spend hours looking for a new battery, and the fumes from those old batteries were terrible. Now, I can swap my battery quickly and get back to work, knowing I'm doing my part for the environment."

With successful piloting, Dao and Nguyen plan to expand Green Gears throughout Dhaka and beyond, aiming to revolutionize the rickshaw industry in Bangladesh and create a more sustainable future for the nation's transportation sector.