The Delhi government has proposed a city-wide cap of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws under a draft scheme that would tighten registration, driver identification, fleet ownership and compliance requirements in the capital. The Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026 has been released for public feedback and suggestions for 30 days before it is finalised.
The draft cites traffic congestion, road safety hazards, air pollution, noise pollution and the “excessive and unregulated proliferation” of e-rickshaws as the reasons for fixing the limit. It states that no registration will be issued beyond the 2,50,000-vehicle cap unless the limit is revised in the future.
Under the proposed framework, an e-rickshaw would be treated as a battery-operated three-wheeler with seating for up to four passengers, excluding the driver. The vehicle would have to carry no more than 40 kg of luggage, have a net power output of up to 2,000 watts and a maximum speed of 25 kmph.
The scheme would require every e-rickshaw to be registered as a transport vehicle and issued a digital E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate, or ECC, before it could operate. The certificate would remain valid for two years and contain details including the vehicle’s registration certificate, owner and driver information, driving licence and public service vehicle badge details, battery compliance status, and the validity of fitness and insurance documents.
Each ECC would be linked to one e-rickshaw and one driver. The proposed arrangement would prevent a driver from being linked to more than one ECC, creating a digital connection between the vehicle, its operator and the compliance records required for operation.
The draft also proposes ownership limits. Individual owners who are residents of Delhi would be allowed to own up to five e-rickshaws. Companies, firms, non-governmental organisations, cooperative societies and driving schools could own up to 100 vehicles each. These entities would be required to provide adequate charging or battery-swapping arrangements, while fleets reaching 25 vehicles would need to obtain an aggregator licence.
All drivers would be required to hold a valid e-rickshaw driving licence and a public service vehicle badge. The proposed requirements would therefore make driver documentation, vehicle fitness, insurance and battery compliance part of a single operating framework rather than separate administrative records.
The draft scheme is now subject to a 30-day public consultation. The government will consider feedback and suggestions before deciding the final provisions, including the proposed fleet cap and the registration and compliance conditions for e-rickshaws operating in Delhi.
