Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Thursday, 24 April 2025 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (21) approved introducing new provisions for the registration of electric motor tricycles (tuk-tuks) amending the Motor Traffic Act to allow the gross weight of electric tuk-tuks including the battery system to be increased to 650 kilograms.
The gross weight of these vehicles, whether manufactured as electric or converted from petrol or diesel, has been increased. Due to this reason, on 8 August 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a revision to the Motor Traffic Act, setting the maximum gross weight of electric motor tricycles at 600 kilograms (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Cabinet-green-lights-revision-of-Motor-Traffic-Act-to-allow-electric-tuk-tuks/44-738521). This change was aimed to address the registration issues faced by electric tuk-tuks.
However, due to the introduction of battery systems that enable long-distance rides, the need for high-capacity batteries for luxury electric tuk-tuks with air conditioning, and the additional weight from electricity-resistant brakes, local industry stakeholders requested further amendments.
Considering these factors, the proposal to this effect, submitted by the Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
