The government has published new regulations governing the operation of battery-run rickshaws to restore discipline on the capital’s roads and bring order to the passenger transport system. Under the new rules, battery-run rickshaws will not be allowed to operate in Dhaka or any other city corporation area in the country without registration and a licence.

The Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives published the regulations on Thursday (October 29). Titled the Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Run Rickshaw (E-Rickshaw) Operation Regulations, 2026 in City Corporation Areas, the rules will apply to all e-rickshaws operating within the country’s city corporation areas.

According to the regulations, applicants must submit an application to the relevant authority along with the prescribed fee and required documents to register an e-rickshaw. The authority will examine the vehicle’s compliance with the technical standards and safety features set by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). If satisfied, it will grant registration within 30 working days of receiving the application.

Each registered e-rickshaw will be issued a unique registration number with a QR code and a number plate. The QR-coded registration number must be displayed in a visible place on the vehicle. Registration will remain valid for five years.

If an application fails to meet the requirements during scrutiny, the authority may reject it and must notify the applicant in writing of the reasons within seven 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.

A maximum of five e-rickshaws may be registered under a single national identity card across one or more city corporations. However, an e-rickshaw registered in one city corporation will not be allowed to operate commercially in another city corporation area.

E-rickshaws must obtain fitness certificates in accordance with the design specifications and technical standards set by BUET. Registration or renewal will not be granted without the countersignature of the relevant traffic department. Institutions issuing fitness certificates and providing countersignatures must maintain registration records.

E-rickshaws already operating on the roads will also have to undergo structural modifications to comply with BUET’s technical standards and safety requirements before receiving approval. They must obtain fitness certificates countersigned by the relevant traffic department. The regulations also provide for bringing e-rickshaws under insurance coverage in phases.

The economic lifespan of each e-rickshaw will be 12 years from its registration date. Once this period expires, its registration and number plate must be cancelled. Installing a speedometer or odometer in every vehicle has also been made mandatory.

E-rickshaws with mechanical or safety defects, as well as unregistered vehicles, will not be allowed on the roads. If a vehicle develops a fault, a sign stating “Unfit for Operation Due to Mechanical Defect” must be displayed prominently at the front, and arrangements must be made for repairs.

The traffic department, law enforcement agencies and designated executive magistrates in metropolitan areas will be authorised to take joint or separate measures to stop the operation of illegal e-rickshaws.

Roads Where E-Rickshaws Will Be Prohibited

Under the regulations, e-rickshaws will not be allowed on national highways, expressways, elevated expressways, major bus routes or corridors, or any road where the authorities impose restrictions. Their operation on footpaths will also be prohibited.

Drivers must always use the left lane. Using mobile phones while driving, making unauthorised overtaking manoeuvres and changing lanes in violation of the rules will be prohibited.

Depending on the size of the vehicle, an e-rickshaw may carry a maximum of two or four passengers, excluding the driver. Commercial goods other than items passengers can carry by hand will not be allowed. Horns producing sound above 40 decibels will also be prohibited.

The maximum speed limit for e-rickshaws near schools, hospitals, religious places of worship and crowded areas will be 15 kilometres per hour.

Zone-Based Routes and Colour Codes

The relevant authority and traffic department will jointly determine the routes for e-rickshaws. A zone-based operating system will be introduced in city corporation areas, and an e-rickshaw registered in one zone will not be allowed to operate in another.

To facilitate regulation, the respective city corporations and traffic departments will jointly finalise the number of zones, the number of e-rickshaws permitted in each zone, designated routes and specific colours for the vehicles.

Driver Training and Parking Facilities

The regulations also place emphasis on driver training. The authorities may arrange training through recognised institutions on traffic laws, road safety, battery and e-rickshaw maintenance, and other relevant matters.

In consultation with the relevant traffic department, the authorities will arrange for the designation of an adequate number of parking areas in each ward or at suitable locations.

Charging Stations and Solar Power

E-rickshaw batteries must be charged at authorised charging points or designated garages licensed by the relevant city corporation. These facilities must have arrangements for using renewable energy or solar power.

Initiatives will be taken to establish approved charging stations, garages and battery-swap centres through public-private partnerships, private investment or other suitable arrangements. The relevant local electricity distribution authority and traffic department must be consulted in this regard.

The regulations also call for increasing the use of solar power at charging stations through net metering. Under this system, solar-generated electricity can be supplied to the grid during the day, while grid electricity can be used at night to charge batteries.

Government approval will be required to establish charging stations. Anyone found using electricity illegally for charging batteries will face penalties under the relevant laws.

Loan Support and Environmental Protection

The regulations provide for financial support to establish approved e-rickshaw manufacturing facilities and supporting infrastructure. Government, autonomous and private institutions, scheduled banks and finance companies may provide loans to e-rickshaw drivers and owners.

The production, import, use, battery recycling and management of e-rickshaws must comply with the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995, as well as the relevant regulations and directives issued under the law.

No individual or organisation will be allowed to dump or burn old or unusable batteries, or any parts of them, in open spaces, on land, in water bodies or with general waste.

The government framed the Three-Wheeled Low-Speed Battery-Run Rickshaw (E-Rickshaw) Operation Regulations, 2026 in City Corporation Areas under the authority granted by Section 120 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009.