'e-rickshaw Se Spiti': Muzaffarnagar driver three-wheeler to Spiti Valley in Himachal, documents mountain journey on Instagram

An e-rickshaw that is usually seen navigating the streets of Muzaffarnagar took an unlikely turn towards the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Sumit Kumar Prajapati, an e-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, travelled towards Spiti Valley in the battery-powered three-wheeler and documented the journey on Instagram. Sumit shared 27 videos from the trip, showing the vehicle tackling mountain roads, stops for charging and interactions with people who encountered the e-rickshaw along the way.

From Muzaffarnagar to Manali

Sumit started documenting the journey on August 15. According to details shared on his Instagram account, he first travelled to Manali with friends, while his e-rickshaw was transported there separately on a truck. On August 19, Sumit set out from Manali towards Spiti Valley in the e-rickshaw. He continued the journey himself as the route moved away from the more accessible areas and into mountainous terrain. The unusual choice of vehicle immediately caught the attention of people following his updates online. Many viewers wanted to know how the three-wheeler would cope with steep roads, rough stretches and the lack of regular charging infrastructure in the mountains.

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A post shared by Sumit kumar (@sumit_prajapati87)

Why did Sumit choose an e-rickshaw?

The trip reportedly followed a conversation with friends who were planning to visit Spiti by car. A social media post about Sumit's journey said his friends questioned how he would make the trip because he did not own a car. Instead of dropping the plan, Sumit decided to take the vehicle he already had: his e-rickshaw.

Charging became a key part of the journey

Taking an electric three-wheeler into the mountains also meant that Sumit had to think carefully about its battery. His Instagram updates showed him stopping at hotels and other locations to recharge before continuing. He also said he was carrying a generator for emergencies. Sumit said he travelled in stages, using stopovers to rest and recharge the vehicle.

At first, he travelled without passengers. A viewer later suggested that he should use the e-rickshaw in the same way he normally would and pick up passengers. Sumit acted on the suggestion the following day and continued the journey after taking passengers along the route.

E-rickshaw reaches roads at around 12,500 feet

As the vehicle climbed higher into the mountains, it became increasingly difficult for other travellers to ignore. At one point, Sumit's e-rickshaw was filmed travelling along a rocky stretch at an altitude of about 12,500 feet. People stopped to look at the vehicle and record it on their phones.

The sight also prompted questions about how a vehicle designed primarily for shorter urban journeys was managing the mountain terrain. One person was heard asking what kind of e-rickshaw it was to be able to go off-road. Others expressed surprise at its progress on steep and difficult stretches.

Sumit reaches Kunzum Pass

Sumit said in his social media updates that he reached Kunzum on August 26 in the e-rickshaw. The achievement was later described in social media posts as a possible record, with claims that he was the first person to reach Kunzum Pass in an e-rickshaw. However, that claim has not been independently verified.

In a video posted on September 1, Sumit explained that the journey was connected to his desire to get away from city life and spend time in the mountains. He said he did not have a car but decided to rely on his e-rickshaw instead. He also described the vehicle as having overcome the challenges on the route and said he intended to travel further.

What happened after reaching Spiti?

Reaching Spiti Valley did not end the attention around Sumit's vehicle. Travellers and locals encountered the e-rickshaw along the route and stopped to ask questions. Some wanted to know how far it had travelled, where Sumit had charged its battery and how the vehicle had performed on the mountain roads.

His videos continued to document these encounters as well as the practical difficulties of travelling with an electric three-wheeler in a high-altitude region. The journey subsequently spread across social media, with viewers discussing the unusual sight of an e-rickshaw travelling through terrain more commonly associated with motorcycles, SUVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Rather than simply recording his arrival, Sumit continued posting updates from the trip, turning an unconventional road journey into an ongoing social media diary.