The Delhi government’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2.0 is set to introduce major changes aimed at reducing air pollution in the capital. According to officials, the draft policy recommends a phased removal of CNG-driven autorickshaws and other fossil fuel-powered vehicles, with key deadlines beginning August 15 this year to control air pollution in Delhi.
“As per the draft EV Policy 2.0, no CNG autorickshaw registration will be allowed from August 15 this year. The CNG auto permits will not be renewed from August 15 this year and all such permits will be substituted or re-issued with only e-auto permits,” officials said on Monday.
The draft policy also recommends the phasing out of fossil fuel-driven vehicles carrying solid waste and city buses.
“All the CNG auto-rickshaws above 10 years old will be mandatorily replaced or retrofitted to be run on batteries during the policy period,” the officials added.
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In a major step, the policy proposes that “two wheelers running on petrol, diesel, CNG will not be allowed from 15 August, 2026.”
The draft also targets goods carrier three-wheelers, recommending that “no diesel, petrol, CNG three-wheeler registration will be allowed in case of goods carriers, from August 15, 2025.”
It further mandates that all garbage collection vehicles owned or leased by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, and Delhi Jal Board must transition to electric in a phased manner and reach 100 percent electric fleet by December 31, 2027.
The policy also emphasizes electrification of public buses. “The draft EV Policy 2.0 also mandates all garbage collection vehicles leased, owned by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Jal Board to be transitioned to electric vehicles in a phased manner and achieve 100 percent electric fleet by December 31, 2027.”
Additionally, “The DTC and DIMTS will procure only electric buses for intra city operations and BS VI for inter-state service with the beginning of the policy.”
Private car ownership is also under review. “The private car owners will have to buy electric cars only if they already have two vehicles. This recommendation will be effective after notification of the EV Policy 2.0.”
Officials noted that the policy may still be revised before final approval. “The draft policy may undergo changes during approval of the cabinet, particularly in the recommendation related to two wheelers,” they said.
The current EV policy was extended by 15 days after expiring on March 31. Officials confirmed that “This extension is expected to be the final, as the new new draft policy is almost complete.”
“The policy will be notified after its approval by the Delhi Cabinet. It seeks to improve the situation of air pollution in Delhi with replacement of large number of fossil fuel run vehicles in an aggressive manner,” they added.
