DELHI: An e-rickshaw ride in Delhi can often turn into a struggle for space, with drivers squeezing in extra passengers to maximise each trip. What begins as a quick, budget-friendly commute can leave
people crammed together, sometimes with a passenger sharing the driver’s seat. The Delhi government now wants to tighten the rules governing these vehicles, proposing stricter checks and tougher consequences for violations ranging from overcrowding to unsafe batteries.
Delhi Traffic Police recorded 10,499 cases of passengers being carried on the driver’s seat between January 1 and September 15, 2025. This was more than double the 4,503 such violations recorded during the whole of 2024, highlighting concerns over passenger safety and enforcement.
The Delhi government’s draft e-rickshaw scheme seeks to tighten compliance through a digital certification system, inspections and stricter penalties for unsafe and non-compliant vehicles. It reiterates that an e-rickshaw can carry no more than four passengers, apart from the driver, and prohibits passengers from sitting beside the driver or travelling while standing.
The proposal also addresses driver conduct, women’s safety, vehicle maintenance, battery standards, ownership limits and the consequences of operating without the required certification. However, the rules will come into effect only after the scheme is formally notified in the Official Gazette.
Why Is Delhi Tightening E-Rickshaw Rules?
E-rickshaws are an important part of Delhi’s last-mile transport network, offering relatively inexpensive connections between Metro stations, residential areas, markets and other destinations. However, overcrowding, unsafe driving practices and road accidents have raised concerns about how these vehicles operate.
Delhi Traffic Police recorded 108 road accidents involving e-rickshaws between January 1 and September 15, 2025. These accidents left 24 people dead and 100 injured.
The draft scheme seeks to address these concerns by restating existing passenger restrictions and introducing additional compliance requirements. Delhi’s 2014 e-rickshaw scheme had already prohibited overcrowding and passengers sharing the driver’s seat. The new proposal is intended to strengthen enforcement and bring vehicles, owners and drivers under a more structured compliance framework.
How Many Passengers Can An E-Rickshaw Carry?
Under the draft rules, an e-rickshaw can carry a maximum of four passengers, excluding the driver. Passengers cannot sit on the driver’s seat or travel while standing, even on short journeys.
The permitted luggage limit is 40 kg. The vehicle’s maximum speed must not exceed 25 kmph, and its motor power must be limited to 2,000 watts.
Drivers are also prohibited from operating an e-rickshaw under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Carrying explosives, inflammable materials or hazardous chemicals is not permitted.
The draft further addresses distractions during duty hours. Drivers cannot play music or other audio if it disturbs or distracts them or passengers. This is not a complete ban on music: the 2014 scheme had prohibited drivers from playing any audio device while on duty, whereas the new proposal specifies the restriction in terms of disturbance and distraction.
What Do The Draft Rules Say About Women’s Safety?
The proposed scheme places responsibilities on drivers to maintain appropriate conduct towards passengers and people waiting to board. Misbehaviour is prohibited, and drivers must assist senior citizens and persons with disabilities when they enter or exit the vehicle.
In cases involving alleged indecent behaviour, molestation or eve-teasing involving a woman passenger, the draft directs the driver to alert the police immediately and take the woman to the nearest police station, police post or PCR van.
Vehicle maintenance and safety equipment are also covered. E-rickshaws must be kept clean and carry safety equipment specified by the Transport Department, including a first-aid box and a fire extinguisher.
Which E-Rickshaws Could Be Impounded?
The draft identifies several vehicle-related violations that could lead to impounding.
An e-rickshaw fitted with a bull bar or frontal crash guard, or one using an unsafe or non-compliant battery, would be impounded until the problem is rectified.
Registered vehicles must have High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) and a yellow reflective strip at the rear. The owner’s name, address and telephone number must be painted on the vehicle’s left side.
The scheme also prohibits e-rickshaws from obstructing pedestrians or traffic while parked. They cannot operate on roads notified as restricted for such vehicles.
Battery disposal and technology standards are another part of the proposed framework. Used batteries must be sent to authorised recyclers, while battery technology must comply with standards notified by the Central government.
These requirements are intended to improve vehicle safety and ensure that e-rickshaws meet prescribed standards throughout their operation.
What Is The E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate?
One of the key proposed changes is the introduction of a digitally issued E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Every e-rickshaw would need an ECC valid for two years. The certificate would be linked to one vehicle and one licensed driver holding a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge. Compliance checks would cover the vehicle’s fitness, insurance and battery requirements.
Already-registered e-rickshaws would have 90 days from the notification of the scheme to obtain the certificate, subject to any extension granted by the authorities.
Vehicles continuing to operate without an ECC after the deadline could be impounded. If the owner fails to obtain the required certificate within 15 days of impounding, proceedings for disposal of the vehicle may begin.
The proposed consequences are more severe for unregistered e-rickshaws. Such vehicles would face immediate impounding, with no provision for release under the draft. The proposal provides for the vehicles to be crushed and auctioned. Even batteries leased separately would not be returned.
These provisions are part of the government’s proposed effort to distinguish compliant vehicles from those operating outside the registration and safety framework.
How Many E-Rickshaws Will Be Allowed In Delhi?
The draft scheme also proposes a cap of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws after the compliance window closes.
It sets out ownership limits under which an individual would be permitted to own up to five e-rickshaws, while eligible entities could own up to 100 vehicles.
Entities operating 25 or more e-rickshaws would be required to obtain an aggregator licence. This provision would bring larger operators under an additional licensing requirement.
The proposed cap and ownership restrictions could affect how e-rickshaw fleets are organised and expanded in Delhi. Their implementation would depend on the final scheme and the arrangements specified by the authorities.
When Will The New E-Rickshaw Rules Come Into Effect?
The Delhi Transport Department has invited members of the public and other stakeholders to submit suggestions and objections within 30 days of the draft’s publication.
The proposal is not yet the final enforceable scheme. The rules will take effect only after the government considers the process and formally notifies the scheme in the Official Gazette.
If implemented as proposed, the changes would go beyond reiterating passenger limits. They would establish a digital certification system, specify vehicle and battery requirements, set ownership limits and outline tougher consequences for unregistered or non-compliant e-rickshaws.
For commuters, the central aim is safer and more orderly last-mile travel. For drivers and owners, the proposal could mean stricter checks and a greater responsibility to ensure that their vehicles meet the prescribed requirements before continuing to operate.
