In India, with the increase in buses, trains and private vehicles, the number of auto rickshaws has also gone up. Autos are popular means of transport because they offer cheap travel and are available in most places. But why do autos have only 3 wheels, unlike cars?
Two-wheelers have increased in the last few years. Where there were hundreds of bikes earlier, now thousands of them ply on the streets. People use two-wheelers for short-distance transportation, especially for going to work and on other errands.
But there was a time when cars were the principal means of transport within the city, and for people going from far-flung villages where there were no proper buses to nearby towns, the three-wheeler was often the only alternative open to them.
There is a reason why automobiles have three wheels. Why don’t they have one more wheel to make them four-wheeled vehicles? Why do they have two wheels at the rear but only one at the front?
Experts say there are several reasons for this. It is easier to keep a three-wheeled auto balanced than a four-wheeled one. Also, a three-wheeler is compact. It can easily go through narrow streets and tight corners. It is easier to park.
Because they have three wheels, autos can go through narrow streets with heavy traffic much more easily than cars and buses. They also consume less fuel than other vehicles. Since autos go a long distance with little fuel, both drivers and passengers find them economical.
Also, a three-wheeler is cheaper to manufacture and maintain as compared to a four-wheeler. So, auto drivers face lesser maintenance expenses and keep their costs under check. Autos are designed keeping affordability and practicality in mind. This makes them accessible to the common man. This is why engineers opted for the three-wheel design for auto rickshaws.
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