Electric Three-Wheelers in Bangladesh

by Mohammad Salah Uddin

Electric three-wheelers, locally known as e-rickshaws, have rapidly expanded across Bangladesh since the late 2000s, driven by low operating costs, strong passenger demand, and informal assembly networks. Today, millions of these vehicles operate nationwide, providing essential livelihoods, reshaping urban and peri-urban mobility, and contributing significantly to the informal economy. This book examines the socioeconomic impacts of e-rickshaws, including poverty alleviation, household income generation, and gender-related dimensions of employment and access. It also evaluates environmental outcomes, highlighting reduced tailpipe emissions and noise pollution, alongside emerging challenges such as lead contamination from informal battery recycling. Energy implications are explored, focusing on increasing pressure on the national electricity grid and the potential of renewable and solar-based charging solutions. Safety concerns related to vehicle design, regulatory gaps, and traffic congestion are discussed. The chapter reviews existing and proposed policy responses, including regulations on licensing, technical standards, and battery recycling.