Monika asks for more tuk-tuks to be registered

ENERGY / ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Monika asks for more tuk-tuks to be registered

Monika Motors Co, authorised by the Energy Ministry to produce NGV-powered three-wheeled taxis or tuk-tuks, has asked the Land Transport Department to continue registering the vehicles under the Tuk Tuk Ua-arthorn project. Under the scheme, which means ''Low-cost Tuk Tuk'', Monika Motors was required to produce 2,500 units of cheap and environmentally friendly tuk-tuks that would all be registered.

Tuk-tuk registration is difficult to secure as the government is keen on limiting the number of tuk-tuks on the streets.

An informed source said the company could produce and sell 1,800 tuk-tuks, but vehicle registrations had already expired earlier this year, leaving 700 units waiting for production. ''The company will not produce the remaining volume of tuk-tuks unless the registrations have been permitted,'' said the source.

Branded as an energy-saving and non-polluting vehicle, the new tuk-tuks come with a four-stroke 650cc engine with two cylinders designed to run on natural gas instead of conventional and more expensive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The tuk-tuks will be affordable at a price of slightly more than 200,000 baht.

Drivers feel assured of the quality and safety standards, saying the natural gas engine is more environmentally friendly and will help them save money. Bangkok has about 7,400 tuk-tuks, most of which are rented.