With 97.4 percent of battery-powered rickshaws and 85.94 percent of pedal rickshaws operating outside formal registration systems, rickshaw services in Dhaka remain largely unregulated, according to a recent study.

Battery-powered rickshaws are increasingly attracting younger drivers, with the average age at 38, compared to 42 for pedal rickshaw drivers. 

About 75 percent of battery rickshaw drivers are new entrants who had never driven pedal rickshaws before.

The findings were shared at a discussion at the BDBL Building in Karwan Bazar, where INNOVISION Consulting released its study titled “Urban Mobility Study: Rickshaws in Transition.” The research examines the rapid shift from pedal-driven to battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka.

The study comes amid growing debate over battery-powered rickshaws -- popularly known as “Bangla Teslas” -- regarding traffic congestion, road safety, informal employment, and regulation. 

Recently, Dhaka North and South City Corporations launched a pilot project with Buet-approved battery rickshaws, underscoring the need for evidence-based policy decisions.

INNOVISION Managing Director Rubaiyath Sarwar presented the findings, based on primary data from 384 rickshaw drivers, 392 passengers and 63 garage owners across Dhaka.

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According to the study, battery rickshaw drivers earn a higher gross daily income (Tk 880) than pedal rickshaw drivers (Tk 594). 

However, due to high rental costs, drivers who rent battery rickshaws earn lower net income than their pedal rickshaw counterparts. 

In contrast, self-owned battery rickshaws generate significantly higher income.

Most battery rickshaw drivers rely on rentals and microfinance loans. Their average loan size (Tk 79,927) is much higher than that of pedal rickshaw drivers (Tk 18,654), indicating greater financial vulnerability, the study noted. 

Passengers primarily use rickshaws for short trips of one to three kilometres. While 82 percent prefer battery rickshaws for faster travel and lower costs, safety concerns persist. 

Approximately 30 percent of passengers reported accidents involving battery-powered rickshaws, compared to 18 percent for pedal-powered rickshaws, with more severe injuries reported in battery rickshaw-related accidents.

Former Bangladesh Institute of Planners president Dr Akter Mahmud said 76 percent of trips in Dhaka are under two kilometres, highlighting the need for better footpaths and public transport access.

“In cities like London or New York, people access public transport through nearby stations. That density is missing here, which is why we rely heavily on rickshaws,” he said.

He added that poor investment and weak management have reduced Dhaka’s average traffic speed to 5–6 km/h, pushing the city close to a standstill. 

“We must identify the root causes and, considering socio-economic realities, allow only an appropriate number of rickshaws and battery-powered rickshaws,” he said.

Stressing that unregistered vehicles should not be allowed to operate, Mahmood said strict enforcement of registration and traffic rules is essential to make Dhaka a liveable city.

Taif Hossain, programme manager (transport and energy) at the European Union, warned that improper disposal of battery acid is contaminating the food chain and increasing cancer risks.

“If this is not regulated properly, Bangladesh will face serious consequences,” he said.

AKM Fahim Mashroor, CEO of Bdjobs.com, noted that many businesses and garment factories have shut down, prompting the government to relax controls on battery rickshaws to absorb unemployed workers.

“However, this is not a sustainable solution. Regulation and registration are necessary, and at the same time, the government must create alternative employment opportunities,” he said.

Additional DIG (Traffic) Md Salim Khan said rickshaws are not the main cause of congestion, noting that the average speed of Dhaka traffic is about 5 km/h while rickshaws typically move at around 10 km/h. 

He blamed roadside obstacles and poor traffic management for congestion.

He also stressed the urgent need to address environmental risks from improper battery recycling.