Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Gives Bike-Taxi Fleets Nine Months to Go Electric
Maharashtra has given some bike-taxi companies more time to switch their fleets to electric bikes.
They have six months at first, with a possible three more months.
The rule applies to companies seeking or holding provisional licences under the state’s bike-taxi rules.
The goal is for these fleets to become fully electric.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has asked states to allow private two-wheelers to work as bike taxis.
He said bike taxis could provide livelihood opportunities for around 8 crore people.
A bike-taxi association welcomed the extra time for the change.
It also said bike taxis may help people make short trips and connect to other transport.
The article says they could offer drivers extra earning opportunities, but does not report how many jobs will actually be created.
Maharashtra’s Transport Department directed state RTOs and aggregators with provisional bike-taxi licences to transition fleets to 100% electric bikes.
A communication dated October 1 provides nine months for the transition: an initial six months and a possible three-month extension.
The timeline applies to aggregators applying under the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, and those granted provisional licences.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged states to allow private two-wheelers to operate as bike taxis, saying they could create livelihood opportunities for around 8 crore people.
A Bike Taxi Association spokesperson welcomed the phased transition and said bike taxis could support short trips and first- and last-mile connections.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Transport Department, RTOs and bike-taxi aggregators; Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also urged states to permit bike taxis.
- What
- The department set a phased nine-month transition period for relevant bike-taxi fleets to become 100% electric.
- When
- The department’s communication is dated October 1; the transition period is six months initially, with a possible three-month extension.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- To move bike-taxi fleets toward electric vehicles while allowing time for implementation; supporters also cite potential livelihood and mobility benefits.
- Transition target
- 100% electric-bike inclusion in applicable bike-taxi fleets
- Transition period
- Nine months total: six months initially, followed by a possible three-month extension
- Notice date
- October 1; the article does not specify the year
- Who the timeline covers
- Aggregators applying under the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, or holding provisional licences
- Gadkari’s estimate
- Around 8 crore livelihood opportunities, according to the minister’s statement as reported
- Cities mentioned
- Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik