Battery-powered rickshaws have become a defining feature of Bangladesh’s transport landscape "which was once dominated by non-mechanised three-wheelers"providing affordable mobility and livelihoods for millions of people. Yet experts warn that the sector’s rapid and largely unregulated growth is placing increasing pressure on the country’s electricity system through widespread illegal charging, power theft, and uncontrolled energy consumption.
From the crowded streets of Dhaka to remote district towns, battery-powered rickshaws have emerged as a popular alternative to conventional transport. Their low operating costs and accessibility have fueled explosive growth over the past decade.
However, the expansion has also given rise to thousands of unauthorized charging stations operating outside formal regulation.
Energy specialists say the growing number of electric three-wheelers is contributing to power shortages, voltage fluctuations, and load shedding, particularly during periods of peak electricity demand.
Field investigations in several neighborhoods of the capital found garages charging between 20 and 30 rickshaws simultaneously using overloaded electrical lines, exposed wiring, and low-quality charging equipment. Residents alleged that many of these facilities are connected to residential power lines through unauthorized connections.
A garage employee, who requested anonymity, said obtaining a legal electricity connection can cost between Tk 60,000 and Tk 70,000, prompting many operators to seek cheaper but illegal alternatives.
Hundreds of charging garages have reportedly sprung up in areas including Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh, Kamrangirchar, Mohammadpur, Jatrabari, Lalbagh, and Nawabganj. Many operate from vacant plots, tin-shed structures, and abandoned warehouses.
Most battery-powered rickshaws use four to six 12-volt batteries that require five to seven hours of charging. Because charging is generally carried out overnight, the cumulative demand places significant stress on local transformers and distribution networks.
Official data show that around 3,300 authorized charging stations operate within Dhaka North and South City Corporations, including approximately 2,100 within the service area of the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC). Industry observers, however, believe the number of unauthorized charging points is many times higher.
According to a study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) has only 2,997 legal charging connections consuming about 10 megawatts of electricity. In contrast, more than 48,000 illegal charging points are believed to be active across the capital.
Data from Dhaka Metropolitan Police indicate the city contains at least 48,136 unauthorized charging points and nearly 1,000 charging garages. Although authorities periodically conduct mobile court operations to disconnect illegal lines, critics argue that enforcement remains insufficient.
DPDC Executive Director (Operations) Md. Robiul Hasan acknowledged the challenge, saying that despite ongoing monitoring, some operators continue to steal electricity through unauthorized connections.
“Regular inspections are being carried out, and legal action has been taken in certain cases,” he said.
A senior DESCO official, speaking anonymously, admitted that illegal charging activities are overloading transformers and distribution infrastructure, increasing the risk of technical failures and service disruptions.
Researchers argue that the issue extends beyond electricity theft. Professor Dr. Mohammad Ehsan of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said a large informal economy has emerged around battery-powered rickshaws, making effective regulation difficult.
CPD estimates that nearly two million battery-powered rickshaws are currently operating in Dhaka alone. Garage owners typically charge between Tk 70 and Tk 150 per vehicle each day for battery charging. Based on those figures, daily transactions linked to charging services range from Tk 140 million to Tk 300 million, creating a substantial informal market operating outside government oversight.
Shahjahan Sikder, Acting Media Officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate, said hazardous electrical connections could trigger major disasters at any time, although no separate database exists for fires directly linked to battery-charging operations.
Despite these concerns, representatives of rickshaw workers argue that battery-powered vehicles play a vital role in Bangladesh’s urban transport system. Ariful Islam, Joint General Secretary of the Rickshaw Workers’ Union, described them as an essential “last-mile transport” service, particularly in areas where public transportation remains inadequate.
Urban planners and transport specialists maintain that outright bans are neither practical nor desirable. Instead, they advocate bringing the sector under a structured regulatory framework.
Engineer Matiur Rahman, Manager of BRAC’s Road Safety Programme, said battery-powered rickshaws have become an important component of the urban economy and should be managed through planning, licensing, and regulation rather than prohibition.
The government has already initiated efforts to formulate a policy for electric three-wheelers. Proposed measures include designated operating routes, mandatory registration, technical standards, and regulated charging infrastructure.
According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), electricity demand during the summer season fluctuates between 18,000 and 20,000 megawatts. Analysts warn that unregulated charging networks add further strain to an already stressed power system.
While battery-powered rickshaws provide employment and mobility for millions of Bangladeshis, experts caution that illegal charging, electricity theft, and unchecked expansion pose growing risks to the national grid, urban management, and public safety. They argue that licensed charging stations, dedicated electricity tariffs, stronger monitoring, and comprehensive regulation are urgently needed to bring the sector under formal governance and ensure sustainable growth.
