Nitin Gadkari’s bike taxi push gets boost as Maharashtra notifies transition timeline from petrol bikes to EVs

The Maharashtra Transport Department has allowed aggregators with provisional bike-taxi licences to take up to nine months to shift their fleets from petrol vehicles to 100% electric vehicles. The direction, issued to RTOs across the state, provides a six-month transition period followed by a possible three-month extension under the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025. The move is expected to give bike-taxi operators and drivers more time to prepare for the electric vehicle requirement while the state works towards expanding a regulated bike-taxi network. The decision comes as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has called on states to allow bike taxis and highlighted their potential to create livelihood opportunities for around 8 crore people.

What Maharashtra's new bike-taxi direction says

The Transport Department issued its communication on October 1, directing RTOs and aggregators holding provisional bike-taxi licences to follow a phased transition towards fully electric fleets. Aggregators applying under the Maharashtra Bike Taxi Rules, 2025, or those that already have provisional licences, will get an initial six months to meet the electric vehicle requirement. The department can then provide another three months under the approved transition arrangement.


The fleet requirement remains applicable to aggregators. However, the additional time could also help drivers prepare for the shift to electric two-wheelers.

Why the EV transition period matters

Moving an entire bike-taxi fleet to electric vehicles at once could create an immediate implementation challenge for operators and drivers. The phased approach gives the sector more time to make the transition while retaining the state's target of 100% electric bike-taxi fleets. The additional period also comes as Maharashtra seeks to establish a regulated framework for bike-taxi services.

Nitin Gadkari highlights bike-taxi livelihood potential

The development comes after Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called on states to permit bike taxis. Gadkari has said that allowing private two-wheelers to operate as bike taxis could create livelihood opportunities for around 8 crore people. He has also highlighted bike taxis as a possible additional source of income. The Maharashtra decision could therefore have implications beyond the EV transition, particularly for people looking to use their two-wheelers for additional earnings.

Bike Taxi Association welcomes Maharashtra decision

A Bike Taxi Association spokesperson welcomed the state government's approach to implementing the bike-taxi framework.

“We appreciate the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Hon’ble Transport Minister Shri Pratap Sarnaik in taking a practical and forward-looking approach to the implementation of Maharashtra’s bike-taxi framework. The decision to provide a phased transition period towards 100% electric fleets recognises the realities of implementation while keeping the State’s clean-mobility objectives firmly in place,” the spokesperson said.

The association also pointed to the employment potential of the sector and the possibility of creating additional income opportunities for drivers. “The livelihood potential of this sector is equally important. Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has highlighted that bike taxis could create employment and livelihood opportunities for around 8 crore people across the country. Maharashtra has the opportunity to translate that potential into real earning opportunities for Lacs of drivers across its cities, while also giving commuters an affordable and convenient mobility option.”

How bike taxis could help commuters

Bike taxis could provide another option for short-distance travel and first- and last-mile connectivity. The association said the service could work alongside existing public and private transport options.

“Bike taxis can complement Metro, buses, autos and cabs by serving short-distance and first- and last-mile journeys. A clear and operational framework can therefore deliver a dual benefit better mobility for commuters and additional income opportunities for drivers.”

In Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik, bike taxis could connect commuters with Metro stations, railway stations, bus stops, colleges and employment centres. For drivers, the model could offer a way to earn additional income using an existing two-wheeler.

(Inputs from PTI)