As per a PTI report, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has added quadricycles into the “non-transport” category of vehicles. Quadricycles were previously only allowed to be used as commercial vehicles.
The decision by MoRTH means that quadricycles can be available to use as private vehicles. As per an official statement, the inclusion was made to provide a “cheap and safe mode of transport for last mile connectivity.” This phrase may imply intra-city trips and could be an attempt to alleviate deteriorating traffic conditions within metropolitan areas.
Earlier this year, MoRTH approved quadricycles as a new category of vehicles although they were allowed to be used as commercial vehicles since May 2013.
The addition of quadricycles to the “non-transport” list is expected to benefit manufacturers like Bajaj who's Qute was finally given the nod for commercial use in India, this year. The Qute originally debuted in India back at the 2012 Auto Expo as the RE60.
To be qualified as a quadricycle, a vehicle must have a kerb weight of less than 475kg; it must pass safety and crash-test norms, and clear emissions tests based on the powertrain being used.
Also see:
2018 Bajaj Qute review, test drive
Bajaj three-wheeler, quadricycle production capacity to increase
Bajaj Qute to spawn electric version