Eco-friendly e-rickshaw pilot programme launched in Dhaka

For the first time in Dhaka, a pilot programme of eco-friendly, battery-powered e-rickshaws developed by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has been officially launched.

The three-wheeled, low-speed e-rickshaws are designed to offer a safer and more sustainable urban transport solution.

The programme was inaugurated on Saturday morning through two separate events—one in Aftabnagar under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the other in Jigatala under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

At around 9:30am, the Aftabnagar programme allowed experimental operation of e-rickshaws on designated roads connecting the Badda–Rampura road to Aftabnagar.

Later, at 11:00am in Jigatala, permission was granted for the initial operation of newly designed e-rickshaws in the Dhanmondi area and converted e-rickshaws—transformed from battery- or pedal-powered rickshaws—in the Motijheel area under DSCC.

Several senior government officials attended the inauguration ceremonies, including Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adilur Rahman Khan; Adviser for Road Transport and Bridges Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan; Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin; Special Assistant for Defence and National Solidarity Development Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz; Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb; DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz; and DSCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan.

Speaking at the event, Adilur Rahman Khan said that introducing e-rickshaws in Dhaka requires scientifically tested designs, structures, braking systems, and battery safety.

“Through this pilot programme, we are evaluating these standards on real roads,” he said.

He added that the core objective of the initiative is to regulate unlicensed battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes and establish a disciplined urban transport system.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said road accidents are caused more by disorder and violation of rules than by a lack of roads.

“To ensure discipline and safe travel, this BUET-designed e-rickshaw has been introduced on a pilot basis. It will soon be expanded across Dhaka,” he said.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin described e-rickshaws as an integral part of a planned urban transport system, noting that sustainable mobility in Dhaka is possible only through the integration of technology, design, and management.

Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz emphasised safety in urban transport, saying the e-rickshaw’s structural stability, controlled speed, and safety features would play a significant role in reducing accidents.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb highlighted the importance of technology-driven transport systems in building modern cities, adding that geo-fencing and digital control mechanisms would allow the e-rickshaw to function as a smart urban mobility model.

DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said training and licensing rickshaw drivers is a key priority.

“Only trained and licensed drivers will be allowed to operate e-rickshaws in designated areas, ensuring passenger safety and road discipline,” he said.

DSCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan said that based on the experience gained from the pilot phase, the programme would be expanded citywide. He also noted that existing pedal rickshaws would gradually be given the opportunity to be converted into modern and safer e-rickshaws.

The initiative aims to regulate illegally operated battery-fitted pedal rickshaws and easy bikes in Dhaka. BUET developed a standardized design for the e-rickshaws, which was later approved by the ministry’s technical committee before launching the pilot programme.

Compared to conventional e-rickshaws, the new model features an improved braking system, speed control mechanism, and environmentally friendly lithium battery.

Powered by a 38-volt lithium battery, the e-rickshaw can travel approximately 70 to 80 kilometres on a single charge.

During the pilot phase, the e-rickshaws will be evaluated on braking performance, battery efficiency, speed control, passenger comfort, vibration tolerance, and driver handling capability.

To ensure disciplined operation, authorities plan to use geo-fencing technology, preventing e-rickshaws from operating outside designated areas or on major roads.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police will determine the number of e-rickshaws allowed in each area.

Training and licensing have been made mandatory for e-rickshaw drivers. So far, DNCC and DSCC have jointly trained and licensed around 24,000 rickshaw drivers.

The inauguration programme was presided over by Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Rezaul Maksud Jahedi.