Three-wheeler rickshaws that are commonplace in Asian countries may soon be seen around the streets of Greece as a low-cost alternative means of transport.
The electrically-powered vehicles will be presented at this year’s Posidonia Sea Tourism Show to be held in Athens from May 28-29. First-time exhibitor Tuk Tuk Hellas will demonstrate the vehicles and present their benefits as a clean, green and sustainable means of transport.
Resembling large golf carts, three or six-seater tuk-tuks have many benefits. They do not make noise, are environment-friendly and are ideal for sightseeing or transporting people to and from hotels.
Though mainly seen in tropical climates, a number of tuk-tuks also made their way to the Paris market in 2013, with some being pedal-operated with electric motor assist. These, however, are not yet fully licensed to operate. Tuk tuks have also captured the interest of tourist regions like Cannes and St Tropez.
Tuk tuks are particularly popular in Thailand where they have been used since 1934 when Japan donated about 20,000 used three-wheelers to Southeast Asia. Japan, however, stopped using them in the latter half of the 1960s.