Bangladesh is overhauling e-rickshaw registration. Solar charging will be mandatory.

Battery-powered e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws will have to use solar power for charging to qualify for registration under new rules being prepared by the government, state minister for local government, rural development, and cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said Monday.

“If they recharge with electricity other than solar power, they will face fines under the new rules,” Alam told reporters after a ministry review meeting.

He said city corporations and municipalities, rather than the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, will register the vehicles. Registration and renewals will be denied to vehicles charged from non-solar sources.

Alam said Parliament has already passed a law and implementing rules are being drafted to set fees and other requirements.

Applicants also will need a fitness certificate from the automobile branch of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology or a government polytechnic institute, countersigned by traffic police.