Why in the News?

• The Delhi government has announced its EV Policy 2.0, mandating that all new two- and three-wheelers registered in the city be electric from April 2028 to combat the capital's chronic air pollution.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Delhi’s Air Pollution (Background, Transport Sector, EVs, etc.)
• News Summary (Policy, Key Mandate, Objectives, Benefits, Significance, Challenges, etc.)

Background: Delhi's Air Pollution and Transport Sector

• Delhi consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, with the transport sector being one of the most significant contributors to its air pollution.
• While winter episodes of severe air quality draw the most attention, vehicular emissions remain a persistent source of pollution throughout the year.
• According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) report, 'Identification of the Causes for Worsening AQI in Delhi-NCR':

• Vehicular emissions contribute around 23% of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution during winter, making transport the single largest pollution source within the city.
• Two-wheelers constitute nearly 67% of Delhi's vehicle stock, making their rapid electrification critical.
• Three-wheelers, commercial cars, and N1 category goods vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) are priority segments due to their high daily utilisation.

• Multiple studies, including those by TERI, IIT Kanpur, and SAFAR, have consistently identified transport, particularly two-wheelers, as the largest contributor to PM2.5, PM10, and other pollutants.
• Notably, secondary particulate matter formed from vehicular NOx and VOCs accounts for about 27% of winter PM2.5 in Delhi.

Understanding Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• Electric Vehicles (EVs) are vehicles powered by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, rather than internal combustion engines running on petrol or diesel. They are categorised as:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Pure EVs running entirely on batteries with zero tailpipe emissions.
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor.
• Strong/Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs): Can run on electric power for limited distances before switching to fuel.

• Pure EVs offer superior environmental benefits as zero-emission vehicles, which is the focus of Delhi's new policy.

News Summary

• The Delhi government announced its EV Policy 2.0, representing a sweeping, first-of-its-kind policy reform in the country.
• The policy comes into effect on July 1, following approval from the Lieutenant Governor.
• Key Mandates
  • The policy introduces phased mandates for electrification:
    • No petrol motorcycles and scooters can be registered in Delhi after March 31, 2028.
    • Registration of new CNG auto-rickshaws will stop at the end of 2026.
    • From April 2028, every new two- and three-wheeler sold in Delhi must be an electric vehicle.
  • The government clarified that existing non-electric two-wheelers will not be forced off the roads; only new registrations will be restricted, giving customers and manufacturers a two-year transition window.
• Objectives
  • Make Delhi pollution-free by March 31, 2030
  • Achieve a minimum 30% electrification of Delhi's vehicle fleet by March 2030
  • Government investment of Rs. 15,000 crore on incentives and charging infrastructure
• Cash Incentives
  • The policy offers substantial purchase incentives:
    • Electric two-wheeler: Year-1 (Rs. 30,000); Year-2 (Rs. 20,000); Year-3 (Rs. 10,000)
    • Passenger three-wheeler: Year-1 (Rs. 50,000); Year-2 (Rs. 40,000); Year-3 (Rs. 30,000)
• Scrappage Benefits
• BS-IV or older two-wheelers: Rs. 10,000 for scrapping.
• Three-wheelers: Rs. 25,000 for scrapping.
• N1 electric trucks: Subsidy up to Rs. 1 lakh in the first year; Rs. 50,000 for scrapping older N1 trucks.
• Gramin Seva vehicles: Rs. 15,000 scrapping incentive.
• First 1 lakh owners scrapping BS-IV or older four-wheelers: Rs. 1 lakh incentive.
• Road Tax Waiver
  • 100% waiver on road tax and registration charges for fully electric vehicles.
  • For four-wheelers, the exemption applies to vehicles priced up to Rs. 30 lakh (ex-showroom).
  • EVs bought under the policy cannot be sold or registered in another state for three years.

Focus on Pure EVs

• Notably, the final policy dropped the incentive for strong hybrid vehicles that had been proposed in the draft.
• The draft had suggested a 50% exemption of road tax and registration charges for strong hybrids up to Rs. 30 lakh, intended as a transition bridge.
• The government chose to focus exclusively on pure EVs, which offer superior zero-emission benefits.
• Charging Infrastructure
  • A major constraint to EV adoption has been limited charging infrastructure. The new policy envisages the establishment of more than 30,000 public charging points across the capital.

Significance and Challenges

• Why It Matters?
  • Two out of every three vehicles in Delhi are two-wheelers, making the mandate enormously significant.
  • Currently, electric two-wheelers make up only about 7.5% of annual two-wheeler registrations (36,962 out of 4,92,288 in 2025).
  • Going from 7.5% to 100% in less than two years is a hugely ambitious target.
• Broader Impact
  • Delhi has historically led the country in clean air interventions.
  • The policy is expected to influence other states, particularly those in the NCR region, to consider similar electrification mandates.
• Challenges
  • Rapid scaling of charging infrastructure to meet demand.
  • Manufacturer readiness to supply electric two- and three-wheelers at scale.
  • Affordability and consumer acceptance.
  • Grid capacity to handle increased electricity demand.
  • Battery disposal and recycling concerns.