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Monday | November 02, 2026 | Dhaka

E-rickshaw registration begins today in 13 city corps

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:02 AM, 02 November 2026

Registration of battery-powered three-wheeled e-rickshaws will begin in 13 city corporations across the country on Monday as the government moves to bring the vehicles under a formal legal framework.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam announced the decision at the Secretariat on Sunday while briefing reporters on the newly issued rules for slow-moving battery-powered three-wheelers in city corporation areas.

He said the registration process would bring e-rickshaws, which had operated largely without formal regulation for 15 to 30 years, under legal management.

The legal basis for the move was established through an amendment to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009, passed in 2026.

The relevant provision was added to Section 120, and the rules were vetted by the Law Ministry before being published in the official gazette, he said.

As a result, there was no longer any legal barrier to starting registration, he added.

Under the new rules, registration of a two-passenger e-rickshaw will cost Tk 8,000, with an annual renewal fee of Tk 4,000 after a fitness inspection.

For a four-passenger vehicle, the registration fee has been set at Tk 10,000, while the renewal fee after one year will be Tk 500.

Each registered e-rickshaw will be allowed to operate for a maximum of 12 years. An additional Tk 1,000 will be charged for displaying a fitness certificate with a QR code issued by the respective city corporation.

The government has also formed a seven-member committee to oversee production and recommend approval of manufacturers.

The committee includes representatives from the Local Government Division, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), city corporations, police traffic departments and district administrations.

Mir Shahe Alam said e-rickshaws must be manufactured according to designs approved by BUET. Existing vehicles will also have to be modified to meet those standards.

Manufacturers will carry out the necessary modifications following the approved designs and with permission from the respective city corporations.

The rules also prohibit breaking or melting down e-rickshaw batteries.

Operating an unregistered vehicle, exceeding the approved speed limit, carrying more passengers than permitted and using unauthorised batteries will be treated as offences.

Unauthorised changes to motors or vehicle structures, operating in restricted areas, reckless driving, carrying goods without passengers, ignoring traffic signals and fleeing after accidents will also invite legal action.

In Dhaka, the authorities plan to introduce eight operating zones, with four under each of the two city corporations. Vehicles in each zone will have separate colours and will not be allowed to operate in other zones.

The number of vehicles permitted in each zone will be determined through discussions between traffic police and the two city corporations, considering traffic congestion. However, no overall limit has yet been set on the number of e-rickshaws.

Although the rules include provisions for driving licences, the government will not issue them immediately. The state minister said the authorities would first complete vehicle registration and introduce the licensing system in phases through a separate notification.

He urged existing drivers not to panic, saying the government had no plan to stop their operations abruptly.

“Everyone is requested to continue operating as they are for now. We will gradually register vehicles in accordance with the rules and take steps to remove illegal battery-powered rickshaws in phases,” he said.

The registration process may take several days or weeks, depending on its progress, he added.

The rules also cover e-rickshaw charging stations. Charging points will be allowed at designated locations, while establishments capable of providing solar-powered charging facilities will be eligible for approval or trade licences from city corporations.

Legal action will be taken against unauthorised use of electricity for charging the vehicles. City corporation magistrates will regularly monitor such activities, the state minister said.

Fares will be fixed on a per-kilometre basis after consultations among vehicle owners, traffic authorities and city corporations, he added.