Maharashtra Orders Ola, Uber, Rapido Bike-Taxis to Use 100% EVs by July 2027

The Maharashtra government has directed bike-taxi aggregators, including Ola, Uber, Rapido and others, to operate 100% electric vehicles (EVs) by July 2027. The State Transport Department has issued directions to ride-hailing companies and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state, following instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The government has given a phased transition of up to nine months to operators to switch from petrol to electric vehicles.

Petrol Bike-Taxi Operators to Get Six Months

As per the new policy, operators running petrol bikes for taxi services will be given six months in the first phase to shift to electric vehicles. However, operators who have applied for provisional/temporary licences under the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025 will get an additional three months. The Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025 provide the regulatory framework for bike-taxi operations in the state.

Aggregators and Riders Wanted More Time

The decision comes after concerns from bike-taxi aggregators and riders regarding the short transition period. Aggregators had sought an extension until 2030 on the basis of Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy and time required to replace petrol motorcycles and develop supporting charging infrastructure. However, the government has approved only the nine-month transition window.

The Maharashtra Bike Taxi Welfare Association had separately requested around 18 months for the transition. Its president Amit Gawde said many bike-taxi riders come from middle- and lower-middle-income families and may find it difficult to make a large upfront investment in an electric motorcycle. He also highlighted concerns over limited EV charging infrastructure and battery life.

Government Rejects 50:50 Petrol-EV Proposal

The Maharashtra government had also considered giving bike-taxi operators the option to maintain a 50:50 ratio of petrol and electric motorcycles. But transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said the Cabinet did not approve the proposal. The government was concerned that allowing petrol motorcycles to continue would encourage companies to wait for purchasing EVs because electric motorcycles have higher upfront costs. 

With this latest decision, Maharashtra is moving towards a fully electric bike-taxi sector by July 2027. The directive applies to regulated bike-taxi operations and does not mean that every service offered by Ola, Uber or Rapido must become electric.