Delhi proposes a 2.5 lakh e-rickshaw cap to curb congestion and improve road safety.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has proposed a city-wide fleet limit of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws under a draft scheme released on Sunday, aiming to address growing concerns over traffic congestion, road safety hazards, air and noise pollution, and the unregulated expansion of these vehicles.
The Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026, has been opened for public feedback and suggestions for 30 days before it is finalised.
Fleet Cap and Registration Requirements
The draft states: “Having regard to the serious concerns relating to traffic congestion, road safety hazards, air and noise pollution, and the excessive and unregulated proliferation of e-rickshaws, the Government of NCT of Delhi hereby fixes a city-wide fleet cap of 2,50,000 e-rickshaws.”
No new registrations will be issued beyond this limit unless the cap is revised.
Under the proposed rules, no e-rickshaw will be allowed to operate unless it is registered as a transport vehicle and issued a valid digital E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The ECC will remain valid for two years and will contain details of the registration certificate, owner and driver information (including driving licence and public service vehicle badge), battery compliance status, and validity of fitness and insurance documents.
Each ECC will be linked to one e-rickshaw and one driver.
Ownership Limits and Operational Rules
The draft imposes clear ownership ceilings. Individual owners who are residents of Delhi will be allowed a maximum of five e-rickshaws. Companies, firms, NGOs, cooperative societies and driving schools may own up to 100 vehicles.
Entities operating 25 or more e-rickshaws will be required to obtain an aggregator licence and ensure adequate charging or battery-swapping facilities.
All drivers must hold a valid e-rickshaw driving licence and a public service vehicle (PSV) badge. A driver cannot be linked to more than one ECC.
The scheme defines an e-rickshaw as a battery-operated three-wheeler with seating capacity for not more than four passengers (excluding the driver), a luggage capacity of 40 kg, a net power output of not more than 2,000 watts, and a maximum speed of 25 kmph.
E-rickshaws have become a popular last-mile connectivity option in Delhi, but their rapid and largely unregulated growth has raised issues related to traffic management, safety and environmental impact. The draft policy seeks to bring structure through registration, digital tracking via the ECC, ownership limits and operational norms.
Existing vehicles are expected to be given a window to regularise their compliance. The government has invited feedback from the public and stakeholders over the next 30 days, after which the scheme is expected to be finalised.
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