In a bold and ambitious move to tackle its ever-growing air pollution crisis, Delhi’s government has proposed a revolutionary Electric Vehicle (EV) policy. If passed, it would be among the strictest environmental regulations in any Indian city, drastically reshaping how Delhiites travel. Reuters
The draft policy suggests limiting the number of gasoline and diesel vehicles per household and proposes a ban on the sale of fossil-fuel powered two-wheelers starting April 1, 2027. Considering that two-wheelers account for nearly 67% of Delhi’s eight million registered vehicles, this policy could fundamentally change the city’s transport landscape.
Incentives include cash subsidies for buying electric scooters and bikes, tax waivers, and scrappage benefits for retiring old polluting vehicles. A small additional fee on petrol and diesel sales will help finance these programs. The entire initiative is estimated to cost nearly 28.6 billion rupees.
However, the policy also brings challenges. Lower and middle-income families — who largely rely on affordable petrol two-wheelers — may find the transition difficult despite subsidies. EV infrastructure, including widespread charging stations and battery-swapping networks, needs to expand rapidly to support the transition.
Manufacturers will also need to innovate to produce affordable, reliable electric two-wheelers that can match or outperform current petrol models. There is optimism, though. Delhi already accounts for a significant portion of India’s EV sales, indicating a readiness among its citizens for greener alternatives.
Delhi’s success or failure in implementing this policy will serve as a test case for the rest of India — showing whether a dense, urban megacity can realistically shift away from fossil-fueled mobility. If it succeeds, Delhi could very well lead India’s green revolution from the front.