Abstract:
In Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, rickshaws are chiefly employed as taxis in short distant trips. 
However, due to increased demand and urban traffic congestion, rickshaws have become a major 
source of pollution in the city. Despite the abundance of natural gas in Dar-es-Salaam, there are 
no commercially successful compressed natural gas (CNG) rickshaws available to reduce tailpipe 
emissions. This study evaluates the feasibility of transition to CNG rickshaws by estimating the fuel 
and environmental savings. The results reveal that by shifting from petrol to CNG, it is possible 
to save 54.38 Tshs/km, 6,965 Tshs/day and 2,507,410 Tshs per year, with a payback distance of 
17,849.2km. The estimated annual savings, CNG requirement, and PM2.5 
emissions are 125.37 
billion Tshs, 100 million tonne, and 102 tonne, respectively. The study suggests that CNG 4-stroke 
rickshaws be prioritized due to their superior attributes such as lower fuel consumption, lower fuel 
costs, and environmental friendliness.