Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto May Face EV Mandate, 2% Welfare Levy In Maharashtra

New-age consumer tech companies such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Meesho might face higher expenses in Maharashtra due to potential bike-taxi rules. These proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025 would mandate electric vehicles, GPS tracking, insurance, and a 2% contribution from each trip’s fare to a driver welfare fund.

However, the levy’s calculation method is uncertain as delivery services do not operate on fixed fares. The amendments, if approved, would integrate delivery services, ecommerce, and quick commerce platforms within Maharashtra’s bike-taxi regulatory framework for the first time. The state’s transport minister indicated the rules would apply to rides under 15 km, with EV and other compliance measures taking effect post-approval.

Maharashtra's law and judiciary department are currently reviewing the proposal. Meanwhile, other states like Karnataka are tightening gig platform rules, with a proposed 1% platform levy on transactions. The proposed Maharashtra levy, if implemented, would add complexity to the already evolving state-level regulatory framework for gig workers and platform businesses, potentially raising operating costs for companies operating across multiple states.