Battery-powered rickshaws will no longer be allowed to operate in city corporation areas without registration under new government regulations aimed at bringing discipline to urban transport.
The regulations make registration mandatory for e-rickshaws across all city corporation areas, including Dhaka, introducing a formal requirement for their operation.
The Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives issued a notification on Thursday, October 29, introducing the Three-Wheeled Slow-Speed Battery-Operated Rickshaw (E-Rickshaw) Operation Rules, 2026.
Issued under Section 120 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009, the rules apply to e-rickshaws operating in all city corporation areas. No vehicle can operate without registration, a fitness certificate and compliance with technical and safety standards set by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Registration requirements
Applicants must submit the prescribed application form, supporting documents and applicable fees to the relevant authority. Authorities will assess applications against BUET's technical and safety standards and, if satisfied, complete registration within 30 working days of receiving an application.
Each registered vehicle will receive a unique registration number containing a QR code and a number plate. The QR-coded registration number must be displayed prominently.
Registration certificates will remain valid for 5 years. If an application is rejected, the authority must notify the applicant in writing, stating the reasons, within 7 working days.
An aggrieved applicant may appeal to the higher authority within 10 working days of receiving the rejection order. The decision on the appeal will be final.
An individual may register up to 5 e-rickshaws across one or more city corporations using a single national identity card. However, a vehicle registered in one city corporation cannot operate commercially in another.
Fitness certification and vehicle standards
No e-rickshaw can be registered or have its registration renewed without a fitness certificate issued in accordance with BUET's technical and safety specifications and countersigned by the relevant traffic department.
Authorities responsible for issuing fitness certificates and providing countersignatures must maintain separate registration records.
Existing e-rickshaws may also be brought under the regulations after structural modifications to meet BUET's technical and safety requirements. They must subsequently obtain fitness certificates countersigned by the relevant traffic department.
The government plans to gradually bring e-rickshaws under insurance coverage.
Each vehicle will have an economic lifespan of 12 years from its registration date. After that period, its registration and number plate must be canceled.
Speedometers or odometers will be mandatory, while unregistered, defective or unsafe vehicles cannot operate.
If a mechanical defect is detected, the vehicle must immediately display a visible sign at the front stating that it is unfit to operate because of the mechanical fault. Arrangements must also be made for repairs.
Traffic departments, law enforcement agencies and designated executive magistrates will be authorized to take joint or separate action to stop the operation of illegal e-rickshaws.
Road restrictions and passenger limits
E-rickshaws will be prohibited from operating on national highways, expressways, elevated expressways, major bus routes and corridors, as well as other roads restricted by the authorities from time to time. They will also be prohibited from using footpaths.
Drivers must keep to the left lane, avoid irregular overtaking and lane changes, and refrain from using mobile phones while driving.
Depending on their size, vehicles may carry a maximum of 2 or 4 passengers, excluding the driver.
E-rickshaws cannot transport commercial goods, except passengers' hand-carried belongings. Horns exceeding 40 decibels are also prohibited.
The maximum permitted speed around schools, hospitals, religious institutions and crowded public places will be 15 kilometers per hour.
Zone-based routes and parking
City corporations and traffic departments will jointly determine designated routes for e-rickshaws and organize them by zones. Vehicles registered or authorized for one zone cannot operate in another.
The authorities will jointly determine the number of e-rickshaws permitted in each zone, designated roads and specific color codes to facilitate identification and traffic management.
City corporations, in consultation with traffic departments, will arrange designated parking facilities in every ward or other suitable locations.
Authorities may also arrange driver training through recognized institutions, covering traffic laws, road safety, battery and vehicle maintenance, and other relevant issues.
Solar-powered charging facilities and battery management
The regulations bring e-rickshaw charging under a formal licensing and monitoring system while encouraging renewable energy use.
Batteries may be charged only at charging points or designated garages approved by the relevant authority and licensed by the respective city corporation. These facilities must introduce renewable energy or solar power systems.
Authorities will take initiatives to establish approved charging stations, garages and battery-swapping centers through public-private partnerships, private investment or other arrangements, in consultation with local electricity distribution authorities and traffic departments.
The rules also encourage solar-powered charging through net metering. Under this arrangement, charging stations may supply surplus electricity generated by solar panels to the national grid during the day and draw electricity from the grid at night to charge batteries.
Government approval will be mandatory for establishing charging stations. Illegal electricity connections or unauthorized electricity consumption for battery charging will be punishable under existing laws.
Loan facilities and environmental safeguards
Government and autonomous bodies, private institutions, scheduled banks and financial companies may provide loans to e-rickshaw owners and drivers to purchase vehicles meeting approved standards and develop supporting infrastructure.
The regulations require compliance with the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, related rules and government directives throughout the production, import, use, recycling and management of e-rickshaws and their batteries.
Individuals and organizations cannot dump old or unusable batteries, or parts of them, in open spaces, soil, water bodies or ordinary waste streams. Burning such batteries is also prohibited.
The regulations establish a formal framework for e-rickshaw operations, covering registration, vehicle safety, traffic management, charging infrastructure and environmental risks associated with battery disposal.