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The petitioners sought direction to allow the usage of lead acid batteries in E-Rickshaw alleging that people are unable to afford the rise in prices of E-Rickshaws due to the installation of lithium batteries which has been mandated by the government.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by an E-Rickshaw driver and owner seeking direction to allow the usage of lead acid batteries in E-Rickshaws along with the lithium batteries.
The Delhi government has mandated the use of lithium batteries in E-rickshaws.
A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the plea calling it a sponsored and motivated public interest litigation plea.
The plea stated that some drivers or Bonafide purchasers of the E-Rickshaw are not able to purchase the E-Rickshaw due to the hefty cost of lithium battery installed in the vehicle.
However, CJ Satish Chandra Sharma opined, "The PIL seems to be a sponsored petition. All these batteries are very dangerous batteries, we are moving ahead with the technology and you are saying allow old ones, then you'll say allow BS-III vehicles."
In view of the above, Advocate Vishal Khanna appearing for the petitioners argued that the same lead acid batteries are being used at our homes, and in our drawing rooms.
He alleged that the Delhi Government has done partiality against the E-Rickshaw/ E-carts owners because no other state of India is making such partial rules for the use of Lithium ion batteries instead Lead Acid Batteries in E-Rickshaw/ E-carts.
Further, the plea submitted that many drivers who have purchased the E-Rickshaw and E-Cart vehicle are now specifying the problems related to the battery of their vehicles.
The plea therefore sought direction to allow the usage of already existing traditional lead acid battery in E-rickshaw and E-cart or allow both types of batteries which are Lead Acid and Lithium Battery in E-rickshaw and E-carts.
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