Taking cognizance of Chandrapur deputy RTO Kiran More’s report on dealers in Chandrapur reportedly altering e-bikes to increase its speed, the ministry of road transport and highways (MVA section) has directed all transport departments (states and Union Territories) to take action against all those who violate Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).
Early this year, More had brought this grave violation by e-rickshaw dealers and owners to the notice of transport commissioner’s office in Mumbai which then instructed the RTOs across the state to launch a drive against e-bikes that had undergone alterations without the approval of certifying agencies.
TOI had reported how batteries of the vehicles were tampered with by adding a switch for speed variation, which had led to increase in speed beyond 40kmph. Even Nagpur city and deputy RTO East led by officiating RTO Ravindra Bhuyar and inspector Anand Mod had launched a drive and detained over 50 e-vehicles after they were found plying at more than 40kmph speed.
Now, in a letter, MoRTH’s under-secretary SK Geeva stated that it has been brought to the notice that many dealer showrooms have mushroomed across India which indulge in sale of battery operated two-wheelers in contravention to the provisions under CMVR 1989.
As per MoRTH’s observation, many manufacturers and dealers are supplying higher battery capacity models which are plying with top speed ranging from 40kmph to 55kmph without type approval, insurance and vehicle identification as per norms.
It is apprised that Rule 2(u) of the CMVR, 1989 defines battery operated vehicles. Further, two-wheeled battery-operated vehicle shall not be deemed to be a motor vehicle if all the following conditions are verified and authorised by any testing agency specified under Rule 126 of CMVR 1989.
It has further asked them to check violations in EVs. As per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, e-bikes with a battery capacity of less than 250 watts and a speed limit of 25kmph are exempt from registration process, including the motor vehicle taxes. But to avail this benefit, the vehicles must have to be procured from government-appointed authorized agencies.
It had also come to fore that many e-bikes dealers, who are not authorized to sell battery operated two-wheelers with capacity of more than 250 watts, were illegally selling them. We found that several manufacturers through local dealers are illegally selling the e-bikes and later increasing the battery capacity to increase speed and range.
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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in an advisory to states said that these manufacturers and dealers are supplying higher battery capacity models, which are plying with a top speed of 40-55 kmph without type approval, insurance and vehicle identification as per norms.