It is a three wheeled contraption that fits three persons conformably (counting the driver), four if they squeeze, and 10 if they are Indian. Tuk-tuks are made of single layers of sheet metal, yellow fabric, and Krishna stickers. Also known as autorickshaws, they are the modern art of transportation: minimal and effective. In comparison, Western cars look like a government payout to the steel industry. They are all so big on the outside and yet so small on the inside. In that sense, mainstream cars are reverse-TARDISes. I prefer the simple three-layered construction of the rickshaws: humans on seats on wheels (The frame is only there to hold the stickers.) There is so little space dedicated to non-human-body elements, they depend on the unfortunate miracle of the two-stroke engine to make them go.
![](http://gmarceau.nfshost.com/blog/uploaded_images/dirty-trafic-740655.jpg)
Until someone figures out how to build a small electric engine out of the recycled parts of a 2-strokes engine, India is stuck with this ugly, evil, insidious device hatched by misbegotten Communists.
Rather, the future rests with hip, cool, great ideas, such as the Topia HUVO.
![](http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080627/154014/thumb_230_3A.jpg)
Wish us luck.
2 comments:
You've read the auto (nobody ever calls it an “autorickshaw”, except when speaking to foreigners) to perfection. That said, my father pointed out that there has been a movement to run various contraptions—from autos to buses—off CNG. My dad pointed to various sources for this information; in return I reminded him of the air in Bangalore. Damn two-strokes. But the most fun transport on earth. Remember, it's just a different body on a scooter chassis.
Bah. I'm sure you can get a good old four stroke that'll fit. I mean, I'm pretty sure my lawn mower has one; 5 horse power! That at least will fix the out-of-tune issue :-)
Just think, though. While those little engines are spewing out smoke, I bet they are relatively efficient compared to modern cars given that their engines are most likely very small and their construction is very light. While they may be smoky, I would be their carbon footprint is fairly tiny.
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