Low-speed e-bikes may be exempted from Motor Vehicle rules
Under the proposed changes, two-wheeled battery-operated vehicles with motors below 0.6 kW and speeds under 25 kph would be excluded from motor vehicle rules
The Indian government has proposed amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. These proposed changes aim to exempt specific low-powered, two-wheeled, battery-operated vehicles from being classified as motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published the draft rules on Thursday, with implementation set to begin on October 1, 2026.
According to the proposed definition, a two-wheeled, battery-operated vehicle would not be considered a motor vehicle if an authorized testing agency confirms its electric motor has a 30-minute power output below 0.6 kilowatts and a top speed of less than 25 kilometers per hour. The draft also stipulates that pedal-assisted vehicles with an auxiliary electric motor must meet similar criteria: an electric motor with a 30-minute power output of less than 0.6 kW, and a power output that gradually decreases and shuts off once the vehicle reaches 25 kmph, or sooner if the cyclist stops pedaling.
Furthermore, the vehicles falling under this provision would need to adhere to specified safety requirements as per AIS-049 (Rev.1). However, the proposal has raised concerns. Velmurugan S, a senior advisor at the National Council of Applied Economic Research and a former road safety scientist at the Central Road Research Institute, expressed worry that these vehicles might be utilized by children.
He also questioned the third-party insurance coverage in the event of a fatal crash, stating that mandating helmet use would be a sensible measure.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
