Prayagraj: Sangam City has topped the state in e-rickshaw sales this year, with 6,402 units sold, as state govt pushes for better infrastructure and green vehicles. The district also ranked among the top five with 14,379 e-rickshaw registrations. A transport department report shows that a record 41.74 lakh new vehicles were registered in the state in 2025-26, taking the total vehicle count past 5.33 crore. While people still prefer petrol and diesel vehicles for personal use, the share of electric vehicles in commercial and public transport has risen sharply.The share of electric vehicles in Uttar Pradesh’s vehicle fleet is growing rapidly, driven primarily by commercial and public transport vehicles rather than private cars. According to state transport department data, 3,79,752 new electric vehicles were registered across 76 RTOs in the state during 2025-26. At present, UP has 15.35 lakh registered EVs, which is about 2.9% of the total vehicles. Of these, 11.68 lakh (around 76%) are commercial vehicles, while only 3.67 lakh are for private use. to cover all internal city routes with pollution-free transport services. Alongside e-buses, a large number of e-rickshaws serve as a primary mode of city transport.Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement) Prayagraj, SP Singh, says that over 41,000 e-rickshaws are currently operating on various routes across Prayagraj division, with more than 20,000 of these having commenced operations in the last three years.Pointedly, Prayagraj has topped the state in e-rickshaw registrations this year, recording 6,402 new registrations. Yogi govt introduced e-bus operations to enhance public transport facilities in major cities across the state. Currently, a total of 125 e-buses are operating in Prayagraj, and public response to these buses has been positive.a growing public preference for travelling by e-bus within the city, and the upward trend in the load factor continues.While various transport options exist, people choose them based on their convenience. The city’s transport pattern in Prayagraj has undergone a rapid transformation following the introduction of battery- or electric-powered vehicles on the roads.Dwivedi, meanwhile, said that there are several reasons for the rise of the e-rickshaw as these e-rickshaws are cheaper than services like Ola, Uber or Rapido, and passengers can easily negotiate fares with the drivers. They can navigate narrow lanes where other three- or four-wheeled vehicles cannot go. Unlike auto-rickshaws or other modes of transport, e-rickshaw drivers do not object to carrying passengers’ luggage. Consequently, the operation of e-rickshaws has increased in the city due to their convenience, affordability and accessibility. Dwivedi notes that, recognising these advantages, Ola has partnered with over 150 e-rickshaw operators in the city.Efforts to expand public charging infrastructure are being accelerated to promote electric vehicles in Uttar Pradesh. Under Yogi govt, UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) is developing public electric vehicle charging stations on a large scale as part of Prime Minister’s e-DRIVE scheme. In the =======eomeom
