Hyundai is looking to enter the Indian mobility market, not with affordable EVs like the Inster, but rather with specific vehicles made for the busy streets of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore: electric rickshaws. The Korean manufacturer showed the E3W and E4W concepts at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and plans to partner with local manufacturer TVS.
Auto-rickshaws or tuk-tuks are popular ways to transport people and goods around Indian streets (and across other Asian territories as well), thanks to their reduced size, easy maintenance, and low price. Hyundai is looking to bring these vehicles to the 21st century with two electric concepts that not only eliminate emissions but also improve comfort and safety.
E3W and E4W
The E3W (Electric Three-Wheeler) mimics the traditional rickshaw design and is specifically designed for India’s hot and wet climate. The body can be raised to drive through flooded streets during the monsoon season, while the use of heat-reducing black paint on the roof should lower the temperature on board.
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The E4W adds a fourth wheel for more practicality. It could be a candidate for a more international roll-out, perhaps as a competitor to electric golf carts, which are popular in some American and European communities. No dimensions or other specs are being communicated, however.
Both models feature an angled windshield for improved collision protection and a clearer view ahead, a flat floor and extended wheelbase for better ergonomics and legroom, large tires for a smoother ride, and a tow hook for quick recovery from potholes. The color ‘Aakaashi Blue’ references the Indian Ocean and the “boundless sky.”
Production of the E3W likely, E4W still ‘under review’
The next step? For now, it seems more likely that the Hyundai E3W will enter production in India, thanks to a partnership with local motorcycle and rickshaw manufacturer TVS Motor Company.
The four-wheeler is still under review, with Hyundai studying its potential for a global launch. The question remains if Hyundai and TVS can produce electric rickshaws at an attractive price that rivals gas-powered models.
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