NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday detailed the government’s new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, asserting that it aims to provide an end-to-end solution to tackle the capital’s severe pollution crisis, strengthen clean mobility, and establish EVs as the preferred mode of transport.
Addressing public concerns and industry questions regarding the newly rolled-out framework, CM Gupta emphasized that the policy was designed with a holistic approach—focusing not just on purchase incentives, but equally on robust charging infrastructure, vehicle scrapping, e-waste management, and long-term environmental sustainability.
“The EV policy was a pressing need for the city. It was important to bring it within a framework that provides end-to-end solutions. We have not only provided subsidies, but also scrapping incentives, focused on charging infrastructure, introduced mandates and prepared a comprehensive plan for an e-waste plant,” the Chief Minister told IANS.
A Multi-Pronged Attack on Pollution
Highlighting the administration’s broader efforts to curb pollution, CM Gupta described the strategy as a “360-degree solution.”
Alongside massive dust mitigation efforts and a large-scale plan to plant 70 lakh trees, the government is aggressively targeting vehicular emissions. Delhi currently boasts around 4,500 electric buses—the highest among all Indian states—and the administration has already floated fresh tenders under the PM E-Drive initiative to rapidly expand this fleet.
To further encourage private adoption across all vehicle segments (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, and commercial trucks), the policy offers a combination of subsidies, scrapping incentives, registration fee waivers, and road tax exemptions.
Expanding the Charging Backbone
Addressing the government’s ambitious target of achieving over 30 per cent EV adoption by 2030, the Chief Minister acknowledged that accessible charging infrastructure remains the absolute backbone of the transition.
“People will buy EVs only if they are confident that adequate infrastructure is in place,” she stated. Currently, Delhi operates around 9,000 charging points, with a strict target to increase this number to 32,000. To streamline the expansion, the government is creating a single-window platform for all approvals, making it easier for OEMs, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), housing societies, and businesses to install charging stations.
CM Gupta also dismissed concerns regarding potential electricity shortages, asserting that Delhi’s power infrastructure is fully prepared. She highlighted ongoing improvements in power supply planning, substation strengthening, and the rapid expansion of rooftop solar energy across government and private buildings.
A Phased Transition for Existing Vehicles
To quell anxieties among owners of existing petrol and diesel vehicles, the Chief Minister clarified that the transition to electric mobility will be strictly phased, and current vehicles will remain operational for their legally permitted lifespans.
However, strict mandates for new registrations will be introduced:
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January 1, 2027: Only electric autorickshaws will be registered in Delhi.
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April 2028: New registrations for two-wheelers will be limited strictly to EVs.
“Without such phased mandates, a policy involving government investment of ₹15,000 crore would be meaningless,” she explained.
Notably, e-rickshaws have been excluded from the current policy framework. CM Gupta explained that due to their massive impact on local livelihoods, road safety, and traffic congestion, the government will introduce a separate, dedicated policy for e-rickshaws following extensive stakeholder consultations.
Concluding her remarks, CM Gupta stated that while some buyers might try to bypass the stricter norms by purchasing petrol vehicles in neighboring states, true supporters of the city will embrace the change.
The new EV Policy, which completely excludes strong hybrid vehicles from subsidy benefits, remains valid until March 31, 2030.
