Concerns over public safety drove Indian government to crack down on certain battery management apps. On July 3,2026,officials banned these apps after reports they could be hacked to remotely stop e-rickshaws with passengers onboard.
Though meant for battery use, many of these apps — several from Chinese developers — let users mess with lithium-ion systems without permission. Among apps flagged by Ministry official: Shenzhen Grenergy Technology,Shenzhen Ruichuang Lineng Technology,and Daly BMS. Attempts to contact developers failed.
Social media videos show chilling risks. E-rickshaws suddenly stopping in traffic. An official warned that this could lead to legal trouble under Indian Penal Code,highlighting public danger. “Causing vehicle to stop like this can backfire legally,” official said.
In Ujjain,Madhya Pradesh,local police nabbed a man accused of extorting e-rickshaw drivers by disabling their rides. Tarun Kuril,officer at Neel Ganga Police Station,shared details . A driver was charged ₹200 by a young man claiming he could fix stopped vehicle,only for it to be revealed the app disabled it remotely.
Kuril noted, “Some individuals exploit this app to disable vehicles and then solicit money to reactivate them.” Raises cybersecurity concerns for e-rickshaws,as current checks miss these flaws. Government's quick move aims to tackle these issues…but will it be enough?
