Dhaka:Registration for low-speed battery-powered three-wheeled rickshaws is set to begin in 13 city corporations from Monday, as announced by State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam. The initiative aims to regulate the movement of these rickshaws, with the two Dhaka city corporations divided into eight zones, each designated by a unique color to prevent cross-zone operations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the press conference was held to introduce the newly formulated Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Operated Rickshaw (E-Rickshaw) Movement Rules, 2026, applicable within city corporation areas. Discussions between the traffic department and city corporations will determine the number of rickshaws allowed in each zone. Registration fees are set at Tk 8,000 for two-passenger capacity e-rickshaws and Tk 10,000 for four-seaters, with annual renewal fees of Tk 4,000 and Tk 5,000 respectively. A national identity card holder can register up to five e-rickshaws.
Mir Shahe Alam stated that a speedometer must be installed in every e-rickshaw, with a maximum speed limited to 25 kilometers per hour, reduced to 15 kilometers per hour near sensitive areas like schools and hospitals. The economic lifespan of each e-rickshaw is 12 years from registration. Both legal and illegal rickshaws will operate temporarily, with registration to be provided gradually. Driving licenses for e-rickshaw drivers are not currently mandatory but will be introduced later.
Legal action will be taken against unauthorized electricity use for charging e-rickshaws, which must be charged at designated stations, with a focus on solar-powered facilities. Modifications to existing e-rickshaws according to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) designs are required for registration. The legal framework for e-rickshaw registration was established through amendments to the City Corporation Act, 2009, under which the new rules were formulated.