Road safety concerns in Bangladesh have been highlighted by a high rate of fatalities, with about 67 deaths per thousand kilometers of road reported. From January to July this year, the country witnessed 3,257 deaths in 4,910 road accidents, translating to nearly two deaths for every three accidents. Of particular concern is the fact that over 78 percent of fatal incidents involved battery-powered three-wheelers, commonly referred to as “Tesla.”
Tragic incidents like the recent death of Oli Nur Mahmud, a student at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), who was fatally struck by a covered van after being obstructed by an auto-rickshaw, underscore the human cost of unsafe road practices. Similar incidents, such as the unfortunate death of Jahangirnagar University student Afsana Karim Rachi, emphasize the urgent need for effective regulation of three-wheelers. These vehicles, while playing a vital role in the livelihoods and mobility of millions, have become a common sight on the roads, necessitating a comprehensive approach to address safety concerns.
A recent study conducted in January 2026 revealed that a significant portion of battery-powered rickshaws in Dhaka operate outside formal registration systems, with 97.4 percent found to be unregistered. This informality poses challenges in enforcing regulations and ensuring accountability. Moreover, the study highlighted the substantial electricity consumption by battery-powered rickshaws, estimated at 750–800 megawatts per day, contributing to revenue losses due to illegal connections.
Efforts to address these issues should focus on practical and affordable registration processes, basic training and licensing for drivers, implementation of safety standards for vehicles, and integration of charging stations into the legal electricity system. By formalizing and regulating the battery rickshaw sector, authorities can enhance safety standards and accountability without jeopardizing the livelihoods of workers who rely on these vehicles for their income.
In conclusion, the goal is not to eliminate battery rickshaws but to enhance the safety and accountability of this integral part of Bangladesh’s urban transport network. By addressing registration, training, safety standards, and electricity consumption within a regulatory framework, the government can promote a safer environment for both passengers and workers while sustaining the vital role that battery rickshaws play in the country’s transport economy.
