Centre acts after reports of remote e-rickshaw shutdowns; advisory issued to drivers to secure Bluetooth-enabled battery systems

The Centre has ordered the removal of seven Chinese mobile applications linked to Bluetooth-enabled battery management systems (BMS) used in electric rickshaws after receiving hundreds of complaints from across the country alleging that vehicles were being remotely switched off while in operation.

The move comes after incidents reported from several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where e-rickshaw drivers claimed that their vehicles suddenly stopped functioning in the middle of roads, causing inconvenience, financial losses and safety concerns.

According to officials, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed the concerned app stores to remove seven applications, including those associated with battery management systems manufactured by Chinese companies. The decision follows growing concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the possibility of unauthorized remote access to battery systems.

Hundreds of complaints prompted government action

Government sources indicated that authorities had been receiving complaints on an almost daily basis from different parts of the country. In Bhopal alone, police reportedly received dozens of complaints, while similar incidents were reported in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Investigations suggested that some Bluetooth-enabled lithium battery systems installed in e-rickshaws could be remotely accessed if adequate security measures such as password protection were absent. In certain cases, individuals allegedly connected to nearby battery systems using mobile applications and activated a "discharge" command, causing the vehicle to stop immediately.

The ministry has advised users to verify whether battery management applications installed on their devices are genuine and to uninstall applications that are no longer supported or appear suspicious.

How the battery management apps function

Battery Management System (BMS) applications are commonly used to monitor lithium-ion battery health, charging status, temperature and overall performance. These applications communicate with batteries through Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to monitor battery parameters from their smartphones.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that batteries lacking proper authentication or default passwords may become vulnerable to unauthorized access.

The report noted that older lead-acid battery-operated e-rickshaws are generally unaffected because they do not use Bluetooth-based battery management systems. Similarly, branded lithium battery manufacturers that provide encrypted software and secure password protection are considered relatively safer against such misuse.

What drivers should do if the vehicle stops

Technology experts have advised drivers that if an e-rickshaw suddenly shuts down, they should first switch off the vehicle using the key, wait for five to ten seconds, and then restart it. In many cases, the battery management system resets itself and resumes normal operation.

Drivers have also been advised to disable Bluetooth on their mobile phones when not required, change default Bluetooth passwords, and consult battery manufacturers to disconnect unnecessary Bluetooth modules wherever possible.

Tampering with battery systems may attract legal action

Authorities have warned that intentionally accessing or interfering with another person's battery management system without authorization constitutes a cyber offence under Indian law. Such actions may attract criminal prosecution under provisions of the Information Technology Act relating to unauthorized access and computer-related offences.

Officials also emphasized that deliberately stopping a moving vehicle through digital interference could create public safety risks and may invite additional legal consequences.

The government has appealed to e-rickshaw owners, battery manufacturers and service providers to strengthen cybersecurity measures while encouraging users to install software updates only from trusted sources.

As India's electric mobility ecosystem expands rapidly, the latest action underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity alongside road safety, particularly as connected vehicle technologies become increasingly common across the transport sector.