Commuting by e-rickshaw in Delhi is set to become costlier, with the minimum fare expected to rise to ₹20 following a decision by the Federation of Electric Vehicles. The move comes after years of unchanged pricing despite rising operating costs, and is expected to impact thousands of daily passengers who rely on e-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity across the city.

According to federation chairman Anuj Sharma, e-rickshaw fares in Delhi have remained unchanged since services began in 2010, even as fuel prices, maintenance costs, and general inflation have steadily increased. He pointed out that auto-rickshaw and taxi fares have been revised multiple times during the same period, while e-rickshaw operators have not received similar adjustments. The revised fare structure is expected to come into effect next month, though exact kilometre-wise rates beyond the minimum fare have not yet been formally detailed.

The decision follows a joint meeting involving e-rickshaw drivers, dealers, manufacturers, and officials from the transport sector, including Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh. Discussions reportedly focused on financial viability for drivers and the need to align fares with current economic conditions. Operators argued that stagnant pricing had made it increasingly difficult to sustain livelihoods while maintaining vehicles and complying with operational requirements.

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At present, Delhi has more than 2 lakh registered e-rickshaws, along with an estimated 1.5 lakh unregistered vehicles operating across the city. These vehicles form a critical part of the urban transport ecosystem, especially in densely populated residential areas and narrow lanes where larger public transport cannot easily reach. Currently, passengers typically pay around ₹10 for the first two kilometres and ₹5 for each additional kilometre, making it one of the cheapest transport options in the capital.

In a parallel development aimed at restructuring the sector, the Delhi transport department has withdrawn a 2022 circular that allowed companies to register multiple electric rickshaws under a single ownership. The government said the move is intended to prevent monopolisation and encourage individual ownership, thereby strengthening self-employment opportunities. Officials stated that the policy aims to ensure that benefits of registration are more evenly distributed among drivers rather than concentrated with larger firms.

Transport authorities have defended the broader policy shift, arguing that putting vehicles directly in the hands of individual drivers will improve economic independence and protect the livelihoods of those dependent on last-mile transport services. With fare revisions and regulatory changes happening simultaneously, the e-rickshaw sector in Delhi is set for a significant transformation in both pricing and ownership structure.

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