MoRTH plans more powerful low-speed EVs without registration; industry splits over exemption

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has tabled a draft amendment to the low‑speed electric‑vehicle (EV) framework, proposing to raise the maximum motor power from the current 250 watts to 600 watts and to eliminate the existing 60‑kilogram weight limit. The exemption from vehicle registration, a key feature of the present rules, would remain unchanged.

Under the proposed draft, manufacturers could equip low‑speed EVs with motors up to 600 W, effectively more than doubling the current power ceiling, and the vehicles would no longer be constrained by a 60‑kg maximum weight. Full‑service original equipment manufacturers such as BGauss view the change as an opportunity to expand their product range, while micro‑mobility provider Yulu cautions that the higher weight allowance could enable heavier scooters to stay outside the Vahan registration database, potentially undermining regulatory oversight.

Low‑speed EVs have been promoted as a cost‑effective solution for short‑distance travel and last‑mile connectivity, especially in congested urban areas. The draft rules, if adopted, could broaden the market for manufacturers but also raise concerns among regulators about enforcement and safety standards. Stakeholders across the automotive and micro‑mobility sectors are watching the consultation closely, as the final policy could shape the growth trajectory of India’s electric two‑wheel market.