Delhi E-Rickshaw Draft Policy 2026: 2.5 Lakh Cap, 4-Passenger Limit, New Driver Rules and What Changes for Owners, Explained
The Delhi government has released a draft Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026, proposing a city-wide cap of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws, a four-passenger limit, ownership limits, a new compliance certificate and impounding of unregistered vehicles. It is open for public feedback for 30 days. Here is every key rule and who it affects.
The Delhi government has proposed the city's tightest rules yet for e-rickshaws. A draft Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026, released on Sunday, 18 October 2026, would cap the number of e-rickshaws at 2.5 lakh, limit each to four passengers, and impound vehicles that are not registered. It is a draft, open for public comment for 30 days.
The 60-second version
- Fleet cap: 2,50,000 e-rickshaws across Delhi.
- Every vehicle would need an E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC), valid for two years.
- Passengers: maximum four, plus up to 40 kg of luggage. No standing.
- Ownership: individuals up to 5 (Delhi residents only); companies up to 100.
- Drivers: need an e-rickshaw licence and a PSV badge.
- Existing owners: 90 days after notification to get an ECC.
- Unregistered vehicles: impounded, and may be crushed and auctioned.
- Status: draft, open for feedback for 30 days.
Why Delhi wants a cap
The government has cited traffic congestion, road safety, air and noise pollution, and what the draft calls the "excessive and unregulated proliferation" of e-rickshaws. E-rickshaws are a lifeline for last-mile travel from Metro stations and markets, but they are also a common sight in traffic jams around them, and many run without valid registration.
The key rules, one by one
1. A city-wide cap of 2.5 lakh
The draft fixes a fleet cap of 2,50,000. Once the cap is reached, no fresh compliance certificates would be issued unless the government revises the limit. In practice, new e-rickshaws could only join the fleet when old ones leave it.
2. The E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate (ECC)
Every e-rickshaw would need an ECC, digitally linked to its:
- registration,
- owner,
- authorised driver,
- fitness certificate, and
- insurance.
The ECC would be valid for two years and could be suspended or cancelled. One driver or licence could not be linked to more than one valid ECC at a time.
3. Ownership limits
| Owner type | Maximum e-rickshaws |
|---|---|
| Individual (must be a Delhi resident) | 5 |
| Company, firm, cooperative or other permitted entity | 100 |
Operators with 25 or more vehicles would need an aggregator licence and must arrange adequate charging or battery-swapping.
4. Passenger and luggage limits
- Four passengers maximum, not counting the driver.
- Up to 40 kg of luggage.
- No standing passengers, and nobody in the driver's seat.
5. Driver rules
- A valid e-rickshaw driving licence and a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badge.
- Drivers must help elderly and disabled passengers and report harassment of women passengers to the police.
6. Vehicle and safety rules
- Owner contact details displayed on the vehicle.
- Reflective markings and high-security registration plates.
- Bull bars and front crash guards banned.
- Batteries must meet standards notified by the Union road transport ministry, and used batteries can go only to authorised recyclers.
- E-rickshaws must follow notified road restrictions and park without blocking traffic or pedestrians.
7. Penalties for unregistered e-rickshaws
After the scheme is notified, unregistered e-rickshaws would be impounded and not released. They could then be crushed and auctioned, and their batteries kept and auctioned, under government guidelines.
What it means for you
If you own or drive an e-rickshaw: check that your registration, fitness certificate, insurance and licence are in order now. Once the scheme is notified, you would have 90 days to get an ECC. Drivers without a PSV badge should start the process early.
If you own more than five: as an individual, you would be over the limit. The draft does not spell out exactly how existing larger fleets would be handled, so watch the final notification.
If you ride e-rickshaws: expect stricter enforcement of the four-passenger rule, which may mean fewer shared rides per trip and possibly higher fares on busy routes.
How to respond to the draft
The draft is open for public feedback and suggestions for 30 days. Check the Delhi Transport Department's website for the notice and the address or email for submissions. Drivers' unions, resident welfare associations and traders are likely to respond, and the final scheme could differ from this draft.
Based on reports of the draft scheme by WION, ETV Bharat and The Pioneer (18 and 19 October 2026). The scheme is not final until notified by the Delhi government.
Frequently asked questions
›What is Delhi's new e-rickshaw policy?
It is a draft called the Delhi E-Rickshaw (Registration and Operation) Scheme, 2026, released by the Delhi government on 18 October 2026. It proposes a city-wide cap of 2.5 lakh e-rickshaws, a four-passenger limit, ownership limits and a new E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate for every vehicle.
›Is the 2.5 lakh cap final?
No. The scheme is a draft and is open for public feedback and suggestions for 30 days before it is finalised. Provisions could change.
›What happens to e-rickshaws already on the road?
Owners of already-registered e-rickshaws would get 90 days from the date the scheme is notified to obtain an E-Rickshaw Compliance Certificate, unless the government extends the deadline. Unregistered e-rickshaws found after notification would be impounded.
›How many e-rickshaws can one person own under the draft?
An individual must be a Delhi resident and could own up to five e-rickshaws. Companies, firms, cooperatives and other permitted entities could own up to 100, and fleets of 25 or more would need an aggregator licence.
›How many passengers can an e-rickshaw carry?
A maximum of four passengers, excluding the driver, with up to 40 kg of luggage. Standing passengers and passengers in the driver's seat would not be allowed.