The Union government on Wednesday said that e-rickshaws and e-carts will no longer require permits to ply on roads across the country, PTI reported. However, a notification issued on the matter by the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry also said that states can still impose restrictions on the vehicles under “appropriate traffic laws”.

The notification says that the provisions detailed under sub-section (1) of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 will no longer apply to e-rickshaws and e-carts, thus removing the legal obstacle to the vehicles operating as last-mile modes of transport. A senior ministry official said the biggest hurdle for e-rickshaws and e-carts had been obtaining permits from states.

The central government has already issued guidelines for the modes of transport, with an s-rickshaw now being allowed to carry up to four passengers (excluding the driver) and luggage of up to 40 kg. E-carts will be allowed to carry goods weighing up to 310 kg. Under the rules, both vehicles cannot exceed a top speed of more than 25 km per hour.