Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto May Face EV Mandate, 2% Welfare Levy In Maharashtra

Maharashtra plans to bring food delivery, quick commerce and ecommerce platforms under its proposed bike-taxi rules, introducing an EV mandate and a 2% rider welfare levy

The move could increase compliance costs for platforms and expand state-level regulation of gig workers

The proposal also includes GPS tracking, insurance cover and a welfare fund, but it remains unclear how the 2% levy will be calculated for delivery platforms

New-age tech consumer tech companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, and Meesho could face higher costs in Maharashtra as the state plans to bring food delivery and ecommerce platforms under its bike-taxi rules.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, would require covered platforms to deploy EVs, enable GPS-based tracking of drivers and vehicles, provide insurance cover, and contribute 2% of each trip’s fare to a driver welfare fund. 

The proposed welfare fund would finance benefits such as pensions, accident insurance, EV purchase loans, and education assistance for drivers’ children. 

However, unlike bike-taxi services, food delivery, quick commerce and ecommerce platforms do not operate on fixed ride fares, making it unclear whether the proposed levy would be calculated on the amount paid to delivery partners for each order or based on the distance travelled. 

If approved, the amendments would bring delivery service providers, ecommerce and quick commerce platforms under Maharashtra’s bike-taxi regulatory framework for the first time. 

At present, Maharashtra does not have a dedicated state-level regulatory framework governing food delivery and ecommerce platforms. These businesses are primarily regulated under central laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and the Code on Social Security, 2020. 

The proposal is currently under review by Maharashtra’s law and judiciary department and is yet to receive final approval. 

Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik told the publication that the proposed framework would apply to bikes undertaking trips of less than 15 km, with the EV and other compliance requirements coming into effect once the amendments are cleared. 

The state also plans to launch a dedicated portal, developed by the state transport commissioner, to track vehicles operating under the bike-taxi framework in real time.

The Maharashtra proposal comes amid growing state-level efforts to regulate gig work and strengthen social security for platform workers.

In Karnataka, industry bodies and platforms including IAMAI, Eternal, Swiggy, Zepto, Urban Company, Uber, and Meesho’s logistics arm Valmo Transportation have challenged the constitutional validity of the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025.

The law establishes a welfare board and fund for gig workers and mandates a welfare contribution from platforms. Earlier this year, Karnataka fixed the levy at 1% per transaction, subject to category-wise caps. Food and grocery delivery platforms face a cap of ₹0.50 per transaction, while ride-hailing platforms face caps ranging from ₹0.50 to ₹1, depending on the vehicle category. 

Platform companies have argued that the legislation creates an additional social security framework despite the Centre’s Code on Social Security, 2020, and warned that varying state-level welfare levies and compliance requirements could significantly increase operating costs for businesses operating across multiple states. 

The Karnataka High Court has declined to stay the law but granted interim protection from coercive action to the petitioners, subject to them depositing the welfare contribution due for the April-June quarter with the court. The matter is next scheduled for hearing on August 14. 

If approved, the Maharashtra proposal would add another layer to the evolving state-level regulatory landscape for gig workers and platform businesses, potentially increasing compliance costs for food delivery, quick commerce and ecommerce companies operating across multiple states.

Source: Inc42 - Startups