With e-rickshaws becoming a popular mode of transport for last-mile connectivity, the government is looking to push automakers to improve the safety of these vehicles. According to the Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, the government is planning to introduce safety star ratings for e-rickshaws.
“When e-rickshaws were introduced, we had not mandated very strict standards on products, considering the cost in the initial stage. We just permitted manufacturers to use products available in the market at that time with ISI standards. Now we have decided that e-rickshaws will also have star ratings to ensure good safety standards, similar to the BNCAP for four-wheelers,” Gadkari said.
An e-rickshaw is a three-wheeled vehicle powered by battery, which can carry up to four passengers and 40 kg of luggage. It has a speed limit of 25 km per hour. E-rickshaws and e-cart, have been gaining popularity in urban and semi-urban areas due to their zero-emission nature, low operating costs, and their ability to provide affordable and convenient last-mile connectivity and mobility options for passengers.
During the calendar year 2024, India sold a total of 5.41 lakh e-rickshaws. It accounted for around 44% of the overall three-wheeler sales in the country. New standards are aimed at improving e-rickshaws’ design for better stability and passenger safety. There have been several incidents of e-rickshaws overturning. Currently, the e-rickshaw segment is dominated by startup players such as YC Electric, Dilli Electric Auto and Saera Electric.
The government has appointed a technical committee that is expected to come out with the guidelines for the star ratings, Gadkari said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday. "These guidelines will improve the quality of e-rickshaws made in India. E-rickshaws are in high demand in countries such as Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and many big automakers are getting into this segment."
BNCAP (Bharat New Car Assessment Program) is a government-led program that evaluates the safety of cars in India and assigns star ratings for each model based on its safety performance. While voluntary, BNCAP is gaining importance, as consumers are becoming more conscious about car safety and demanding higher safety standards.