The Electric Vehicle Manufacturers Society (EVMS), representing over 200 organised and MSME EV manufacturers across India, held a press conference today at the Press Club of India to raise serious concerns about the unchecked rise of illegal e-rickshaws and a surge in substandard EV component imports, both of which threaten to derail the country’s electric mobility progress.
Addressing the media, EVMS General Secretary Shri Rajiv Tulli — a veteran in the EV industry with over 25 years of experience — urged policymakers to take swift regulatory action. He called for better enforcement, streamlined registration processes, and stricter import quality checks to protect both consumers and domestic manufacturers.
With over 50 lakh e-rickshaws currently plying Indian roads, the sector has contributed immensely to green mobility. These vehicles collectively travel over a billion kilometres daily, save nearly 4 lakh metric tonnes in carbon emissions, and eliminate the need for 50 million litres of petrol every day. The industry has also generated more than 1.25 crore jobs — a majority of them in rural and semi-urban India.
Despite these remarkable achievements, EVMS pointed out that the sector’s reputation and safety track record are being tarnished by nearly 4.75 lakh illegal, unregistered e-rickshaws. These vehicles often lack registration numbers, chassis numbers, insurance, and fitness certification, and are frequently converted from traditional paddle rickshaws using substandard parts.
“These vehicles bypass all norms and operate without QR codes or driver certifications. They pose significant risks to public safety and put compliant manufacturers at a severe disadvantage,” said Shri Tulli.
Adding to the problem is the sharp surge in low-quality EV component imports — particularly motors and controllers. Between 2021 and 2024, motor imports ballooned from ₹320 crore to ₹870 crore, and controller imports grew from ₹140 crore to ₹410 crore. Many of these are sourced from China and fail to meet Indian quality or performance standards, EVMS warned.
“The rise in poor-quality imports is a direct threat to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These products undermine domestic innovation and have brought the local MSME suppliers’ market share down to below 35 percent,” Shri Tulli added.
EVMS presented compelling evidence to back its claims, including RTI replies, Delhi High Court directives, and transport ministry notifications. The organisation also showcased district-wise heat maps identifying hotspots of illegal e-rickshaw operations and comparative data revealing the performance gaps in imported versus domestically manufactured components.
The society also highlighted infrastructural gaps, including the absence of a national e-rickshaw scrapping policy and limited space for seizing and dismantling illegal vehicles.
Concluding the press conference, Shri Tulli said, “India’s EV future cannot be built on shortcuts, subpar imports, and safety risks. We need coordinated efforts from policymakers, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders to uphold quality, ensure fair competition, and protect the lives of commuters.”
The EVMS has called on the government to act swiftly and decisively — not only to preserve the sector’s integrity but also to ensure that India’s electric mobility revolution remains safe, sustainable, and self-reliant.
