The government is losing around Tk4,000 crore in annual revenue due to illegal electricity use for charging battery-powered autorickshaws, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament on Monday.
He said the uncontrolled expansion of electric three-wheelers is also putting pressure on electricity distribution, road safety, traffic management and the environment.
The minister disclosed the figures in response to an urgent public-importance notice submitted by Rehana Akter Ranu, an MP from Reserved Women’s Seat-4, during the third session of the 13th National Parliament.
According to Salahuddin, an estimated 50-80 lakh electric three-wheelers are operating nationwide, with their electricity demand potentially accounting for around 5% or more of total power generation.
There are only around 3,300 legal charging points, against more than 48,000 informal or illegal ones in Dhaka alone, according to government estimates. Illegal charging is putting additional pressure on the national grid and local distribution systems, he said.
300 autorickshaws added daily
Ranu said around 300 autorickshaws are being added to Dhaka every day and claimed that charging them consumes around 1,000MW daily, contributing to load-shedding.
She proposed removing autorickshaws from major roads and allowing them on internal roads, introducing solar-powered charging, making Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) registration mandatory and introducing zone-based operations.
However, she urged authorities not to seize or dump the vehicles or harass drivers without alternative arrangements, noting that the livelihoods of many people depend on the sector.
Accident, environmental risks
Salahuddin said uncontrolled autorickshaw movement is also increasing accident risks.
In 2025, 911 people were killed and 14,812 injured in 6,729 road accidents, with battery-powered autorickshaws accounting for 13.54% of the vehicles involved, according to government statistics.
Unregistered vehicles, untrained drivers, faulty designs, defective brakes and lights, excessive speed and slow vehicles on highways are among the factors increasing risks, he said.
The minister also warned of lead, soil and water pollution from unsafe handling and informal recycling of lead-acid batteries, particularly threatening child workers. Agriculture and poultry are also being affected.
AI cameras, new policy
Salahuddin said 50 AI-based cameras are operating at 17 Dhaka signals, with another 200 being installed under the Ramna and Tejgaon traffic divisions.
The government is also formulating a policy to regulate autorickshaws through number plates and QR codes, driver registration and licensing, designated routes, and controls on vehicle numbers and operations.
Digital tracking of vehicles and batteries will also be introduced, while measures will prevent multiple vehicles from operating under one registration number.
Ranu clarified that she had not called for a ban, but for regulation.
Salahuddin said he had discussed the matter with the state minister for local government and that progress had been made on the policy and rules.
He said the policy would aim to protect employment and the environment while ensuring orderly vehicle movement and effective traffic management.