Dhaka:The government has introduced new regulations to control the operation of battery-operated three-wheeled rickshaws, commonly known as e-rickshaws, within city corporation areas, requiring mandatory registration.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the rules, titled 'Rules of Battery-Run Low-Speed Three-Wheeled Rickshaws (E-Rickshaws) in City Corporation Areas, 2026,' were published in a gazette on Thursday. The regulations apply to all e-rickshaws operating in city corporation areas nationwide and set a limit of five e-rickshaws registered against one National Identity (NID) card. Additionally, an e-rickshaw registered in one city corporation area cannot be operated commercially in another.
The regulations define an e-rickshaw as a low-speed, battery-operated three-wheeler with a maximum speed limit of 25 kilometres per hour and a passenger capacity of two to four, excluding the driver. Each city corporation, with government approval and consultation with relevant traffic departments, will determine the number of e-rickshaws permitted in its jurisdiction.
Registration will be valid for five years, and vehicles must display a unique registration number with a QR code and a number plate. E-rickshaws must meet technical and safety standards set by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), requiring a fitness certificate for registration or renewal.
The economic lifespan of an e-rickshaw is set at 12 years from registration, after which its registration and number plate must be cancelled. Safety measures include prohibitions on operating unregistered or unsafe vehicles and restrictions on routes, limiting e-rickshaw operations to designated areas.
Additional provisions of the regulations address issues such as speed limits, passenger capacity, and driver responsibilities in the event of accidents. Charging stations for e-rickshaws are to be established through public-private partnerships, and loans for purchasing approved vehicles may be provided by financial institutions. The manufacturing of e-rickshaws will be regulated by a committee under the Local Government Division, ensuring compliance with BUET's standards before production is approved.