A pilot programme for environmentally friendly, three-wheeled, low-speed, battery-powered e-rickshaws designed by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has been launched in Dhaka for the first time.
The programme was inaugurated on Saturday morning through two separate events held in Aftabnagar under the Dhaka North City Corporation and in Jigatala under the Dhaka South City Corporation.
Trial operations were approved on designated roads entering Aftabnagar from the Badda–Rampura corridor, while initial permission was also granted for new e-rickshaws in Dhanmondi and converted e-rickshaws in Motijheel.
The inauguration was attended by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin, Special Assistant on Defence and National Solidarity Development Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz and DSCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan.
Speaking at the event, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan said,
“To introduce e-rickshaws in Dhaka’s context, their design, structure, braking system and battery safety must be scientifically tested. Through this pilot programme, we are assessing those standards on real roads.”
He added, “The main objective of this initiative is to build a disciplined urban transport system by bringing unregulated battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes under control.”
Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan said,
“The main cause of accidents is not the lack of roads, but disorder and disregard for rules. This Buet-designed e-rickshaw has been introduced as a pilot to ensure discipline and safe travel. It will soon be expanded across Dhaka.”
Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Sheikh Moinuddin said,
“An e-rickshaw is not just a vehicle; it is part of a planned urban transport system. A sustainable transport system in Dhaka can only be built through the integration of technology, design and management.”
Special Assistant on Defence, Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Hafiz said,
“Safety is the most important issue in urban transport. The structural stability, controlled speed and safety features of this e-rickshaw will play an effective role in reducing accidents.”
Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb said,
“A modern city cannot be built without technology-driven transport systems. Through geo-fencing and digital control systems, this e-rickshaw will function as a smart urban transport model.”
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Azaz said,
“Our main goal is to bring rickshaw pullers under training and licensing. Only trained and licensed drivers will be allowed to operate e-rickshaws in designated areas, ensuring passenger safety and road discipline.”
Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan, NDC, said,
“Based on experience from the pilot phase, e-rickshaws will be expanded across the city in the future. At the same time, existing pedal rickshaws will be given the opportunity to be gradually converted into modern and safe e-rickshaws.”
To control the unregulated and illegal operation of battery-fitted pedal rickshaws and easy bikes in Dhaka, a standardised e-rickshaw design was developed by Buet. The design was later approved by the ministry’s technical committee, after which the pilot programme was launched.
Compared to conventional e-rickshaws, the new design features an improved braking system, speed control mechanism and environmentally friendly lithium batteries. Using a thirty-eight-volt lithium battery, the e-rickshaw will be able to travel approximately seventy to eighty kilometres on a single charge.
