Govt addresses e-rickshaw safety post huge influx on road
The remarkable see of erickshaws on the streets, totalling nearly 1.5 million vehicles has led the Government to address the growing prominence of e-rickshaws and task the Road Transport Ministry with a comprehensive review of these vehicles including a focus on rectifying safety concerns. The Government has also urged the ministry to analyze the factors driving the widespread adoption of e-rickshaws and draw insights from their success.
These modest vehicles have emerged as the primary means of last-mile connectivity, bridging urban and rural transportation needs. However, concerns regarding their stability and passenger safety have prompted the government to contemplate design enhancements. In the last decade, around 1.73 million three-wheeler EVS have been sold in India. Just last month, around 500 manufacturers — most of them homegrown — sold over 44,000 e-rickshaws, compared to less than 6,800 electric cars sold during the month. Official data reveals a remarkable surge in e-rickshaw registrations, from a mere 78,700 in 202021 to over 400,000 in the last financial year. While acknowledging their widespread popularity, concerns persist regarding congestion and safety hazards, necessitating swift corrective measures.
Instances of e-rickshaws overturning, often due to exceeding the prescribed speed limit, have underscored the urgency for improvements.
According to motor vehicle regulations, these vehicles are restricted to a maximum speed of 25 kmph, with the mandatory installation of speedometers. Additionally, they are not permitted to carry more than four passengers to prevent overloading, which can compromise their stability. Proposed measures to enhance safety include widening the vehicles for improved stability and refining the fitness testing and production conformity protocols, with testing intervals set at three and two years, respectively.
Unlike the four-wheeler and two-wheeler industries, which are controlled by popular brands like Tata, Ola, and Ather Energy, three of the top five brands in the e-rickshaw segment — Lohia, YC Electric, Dilli Electric Auto, and Saera Electric — have little to no brand recall. “Big-name companies won’t set foot in the erickshaw industry,” Ayush Lohia told. “They know it’s not their segment. Initially, it was a struggling market as cheap imports were quite prominent; however, with the government’s policies now, people are shifting to quality and durability.”