State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on October 9th, that the government is taking steps to replace lead-acid batteries in e-rickshaws with lithium-ion batteries to reduce electricity consumption, increase drivers' income and reduce environmental impacts.

A pilot project has been launched in Uttarkhan under an initiative by Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), he said. Amit made the remarks at the biennial conference of the Jashore district unit of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), held at the CCTS conference room in Jashore on October 9th.

He said lead-acid batteries were heavy, consumed more electricity during charging and posed environmental risks. Although lithium-ion batteries were more expensive, replacing the five lead-acid batteries used in an e-rickshaw with lithium-ion batteries could address these issues, he added.

According to Amit, an e-rickshaw powered by five lead-acid batteries can travel up to 80 kilometres a day, while lithium-ion batteries would allow it to cover 100 kilometres. This could increase a driver's daily income by BDT 200 (US$ 1.6), he said.

The state minister said pilot projects would be introduced gradually in every city corporation and major district. Regarding coal-based power generation, he said the government was examining the possibility of using domestic coal extracted from underground reserves instead of imported coal, while considering environmental impacts.

He said, "People want coal-fired power plants to use environmentally friendly technology. The government is therefore exploring the use of ultra-supercritical technology to minimise environmental damage."

Amit said coal imports required foreign currency and that imported coal had a higher sulphur content, resulting in greater environmental impacts. Domestic coal had a lower sulphur content, he said, adding that using it instead of imported coal could reduce the environmental impact of coal-based power generation.