Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Disha Sharma
Delhi government steps in to regulate e-rickshaws
How E-Rickshaws Help Reduce Pollution: E-rickshaws are helping reduce pollution in cities like Delhi by offering a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles. Being battery-powered, they produce zero tailpipe emissions, which significantly lowers air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Their use in short-distance and last-mile connectivity reduces reliance on conventional autorickshaws and private vehicles, helping ease traffic congestion. Overall, e-rickshaws contribute to improved air quality and a more sustainable urban transport system.
As smog levels continued to blanket the national capital, with air quality hovering between the “poor” and “very poor” categories for most of December, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta convened a high-level meeting to review the city’s pollution control strategies. Officials highlighted multiple contributors to the deteriorating air quality, including the unregulated operation of e-rickshaws across the city. In response, the Delhi government is set to announce detailed new regulations aimed at curbing emissions and improving traffic management for these electric vehicles.
According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Vahan portal, Delhi is home to over two lakh registered e-rickshaws, covering both passenger and cargo vehicles. These electric three-wheelers are considered a cleaner and eco-friendly alternative to traditional petrol and diesel autorickshaws and have become a popular choice for short-distance and last-mile transportation across the city.
However, e-rickshaws tend to operate at slower speeds, as their lightweight frames are not designed to navigate poor or uneven roads. This often results in traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, causing other vehicles to remain on the road longer and consume more fuel, thereby contributing indirectly to air pollution.
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While emergency measures, including Stage Four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), have been implemented and construction activities restricted to reduce dust pollution, authorities are also keeping a close watch on vehicle movement and industrial operations to ensure compliance with the curbs.
However, one factor that is frequently overlooked is pollution from traffic congestion, which remains a major contributor to Delhi’s worsening air quality. Research by the University of Utah indicates that vehicle emissions are a significant source of pollution in both urban and rural areas, with idling vehicles potentially accounting for up to 34% or more of local air pollution levels.