The fast proliferation of battery-powered autorickshaws, often known as “Bangla Tesla”, is fuelling an increase in illegal electricity use across the capital, draining almost Tk4,000 crore from the national grid each year, according to official estimates.
The vehicles, which were formerly regarded as an economical commuting option in a city with inefficient public transport, now dominate Dhaka’s streets. However, their unchecked proliferation, increased safety issues, and widespread unauthorised charging have raised anxiety among authorities.
Illegal charging networks grow faster than crackdowns
Although the government has licensed over 3,300 charging stations for electric vehicles in the city, police and power officials claim that a huge shadow network of illegal hubs has supplanted the genuine system.
A Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) assessment found 48,136 unlawful charging outlets and 992 unlicensed garages in eight divisions. Mirpur alone has almost 4,000 charging points, with thousands more located in Wari, Gulshan, Uttara, Motijheel, Lalbagh, Tejgaon, and Ramna.
These homemade charging stations, which are typically situated in residential structures, alleys, and roadside spaces, connect directly to legal electrical lines or even street lighting poles, charging vehicles overnight for Tk100-150.
According to power distributors, illegal usage causes significant losses. Although Dhaka’s system loss is reportedly at 5.5%, officials admit the figure conceals widespread electrical theft linked to the rickshaw ecology.
Parallel, Profitable Underground Market
In Mirpur, Tejgaon, and Rupnagar, entire buildings have been turned into battery-charging garages. Operators frequently keep authorised meters but use illicit wires to power hundreds more vehicles.
One technician in Mirpur stated that his facility utilises approximately Tk2,500 in energy per day while charging significantly more vehicles than such usage would allow. Another garage manager reported charging more than 100 rickshaws each day, despite electrical bills indicating about half that capacity.
Drivers say charging fees are rising as more garages open, but landlords prefer to lease rooms as informal charging hubs since the profits are better.
Roadside power theft is now routine.
In certain regions, lines are formed directly from lampposts, and rickshaws are parked in lengthy lines on major roads overnight. Thick cables frequently hang freely, posing significant safety risks.
According to one Rupnagar driver, practically every lane now has a garage: “There were only a few before. Now, every home wants to run a charging station.
Authorities acknowledge the enforcement challenges.
Dhaka’s two city corporations concede that most charging stations, metered or not, operate without official approval. Officials from Desco and DPDC claim they perform monthly operations to disconnect illegal lines, but the problem is growing.
“Illegal charging points are a serious concern,” a senior Desco engineer stated. “We are conducting drives day and night, but without a clear government decision on these vehicles, enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis.”
Dhaka North City Corporation says it will undertake a concerted crackdown in collaboration with power distributors. Dhaka South officials claim to have trained drivers, but licensing is not yet in place, making all battery-powered rickshaws technically unlawful.
Government Moves Towards Regulation
To address the rising situation, the Local Government Division developed the Electric Three-Wheeler Management Guidelines 2025. The suggested regulations include:
- Mandatory registration.
- Fitness certification
- Driver licence
- Prohibited highway operation
- Strict speed limits.
- Regulated manufacturing permits.
- Targeted crackdown on unauthorised charging stations.
The document has been delivered to the Law Ministry and will be published if authorised.
Transport experts warn that until battery-powered rickshaws are formally regulated, Dhaka’s already overburdened urban transport infrastructure will deteriorate.
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