The Delhi Government has proposed capping the number of e-rickshaws in the National Capital at 2.5 lakh under a draft scheme released on Sunday, citing concerns about traffic congestion, road safety, and pollution. The draft rules also require drivers to hold a valid e-rickshaw driving licence and a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge.
The Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026 is open for public feedback and suggestions for 30 days before it is finalised. The draft defines an e-rickshaw as a battery-operated three-wheeler with seating for no more than four passengers (excluding the driver), a luggage capacity of 40 kg, a net power output of no more than 2,000 watts, and a maximum speed of 25 km/ph.
“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,” the draft states. “No registration shall be issued beyond this limit, except where the cap is revised,” it adds.
Under the proposed scheme, no e-rickshaw may operate unless registered as a transport vehicle and issued a valid E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC). The ECC will be issued digitally and remain valid for two years. According to the draft, it will include registration certificate details; owner and driver information, including driving licence and PSV badge details; battery compliance status; and the validity of fitness and insurance documents. Each ECC will be linked to one e-rickshaw and one driver. A driver cannot be linked to more than one ECC.
Road safety and traffic management also feature prominently in the proposals. E-rickshaws must follow notified road restrictions, park without obstructing traffic or pedestrians, display the owner’s contact details, and carry prescribed reflective markings and high-security registration plates. Bull bars and frontal crash guards would be prohibited.
Passenger-related provisions include a maximum of four passengers, excluding the driver, and a luggage limit of 40 kg. Standing passengers and passengers occupying the driver’s seat would not be permitted. Drivers would also be required to assist elderly and disabled passengers and report incidents involving harassment of women passengers to the police.
The draft proposes a limit of five e-rickshaws for individual owners who are residents of Delhi. Companies, firms, NGOs, cooperative societies and driving schools will be allowed to own up to 100 e-rickshaws. Such entities must ensure adequate charging or battery-swapping arrangements and obtain an aggregator licence once their fleet reaches 25 vehicles, the draft states.
South Delhi has 7,806, and Mall Road has 8,184. The numbers in Janakpuri (26,661), Dwarka (20,223), Rajouri Garden (10,327), Mayur Vihar (9,647) and Surajmal Vihar (8,499) show how they have quietly become vital last-mile links for commuters, especially women, older people and students.