Dhaka:The government has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for battery-powered three-wheeler rickshaws, commonly known as e-rickshaws, across all city corporation areas. The new rules mandate registration and empower city corporations to regulate the number, routes, zones, and technical standards of e-rickshaws.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Local Government Division has issued the Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Operated Rickshaw (E-Rickshaw) Movement Rules, 2026, through a gazette notification on October 29, bringing them into immediate effect. These regulations aim to control the previously unregulated growth of e-rickshaws and enhance urban traffic management.
Under the new framework, operating an e-rickshaw without valid registration is prohibited. City corporations, in collaboration with traffic authorities and with government approval, will determine the permissible number of vehicles, designate routes and zones, introduce specific color codes, and enforce speed limits. The regulations cover various aspects including vehicle fitness, driver training, passenger capacity, battery charging, environmental protection, and road safety.
For registration, applicants must be Bangladeshi citizens and provide a national identity card, two recent passport-size photographs, a fee deposit receipt, and a fitness certificate. Registration must be granted within 30 working days if all requirements are fulfilled. A maximum of five e-rickshaws can be registered against one national identity card.
Additional provisions include the issuance of QR code-based registration numbers and number plates, with registration remaining valid for five years. Existing e-rickshaws will have the chance to meet new technical standards through modifications, and insurance coverage will be gradually introduced.
The regulations also specify speed limits for e-rickshaws, prohibit their operation on national highways and other restricted zones, and outline penalties for various offenses. City corporations and traffic departments will jointly determine routes, zones, and vehicle numbers to ensure orderly e-rickshaw operations.
The new rules replace the previous e-rickshaw movement regulations issued on December 14, 2025, while allowing for ongoing activities and proceedings to be managed under the new framework.