Delhi’s New EV Policy Mandates Electric Transition by 2028, Boosts Incentives

Delhi's new EV Policy introduces mandatory transition, marks major shift from previous policy: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, June 30

According to the Chief Minister's Office, she said that however, over time, it became clear that simply offering incentives to increase the number of electric vehicles was not enough. What Delhi now needed was a comprehensive policy that would gradually transform the entire transport system towards electric mobility.

The Chief Minister said it is with this vision that the Delhi Government has introduced the EV Policy-2026.

She said the policy goes beyond offering incentives for purchasing electric vehicles and lays out a clear roadmap up to March 2030 for structural reforms in the transport sector, expansion of charging infrastructure, a stronger institutional framework, and the phased electrification of different vehicle categories.

CM Gupta said the previous policy was largely incentive-driven, with the adoption of electric vehicles remaining entirely voluntary. Building on that framework, the new government has introduced a clear programme of phased mandatory electrification across different vehicle categories, along with incentives, to accelerate the transition to electric mobility.

The Chief Minister said the new policy continues to provide a purchase incentive of up to ₹30,000 for electric two-wheelers. For the first time, it also offers an additional incentive of ₹10,000 for scrapping an old vehicle, according to the CMO.

She further said that from April 1, 2028, registration of all new two-wheelers in Delhi will be permitted only as electric vehicles.

The government has also taken a major decision for the three-wheeler segment. While the earlier policy provided purchase incentives of up to ₹30,000, the new policy increases this to ₹50,000. Owners who scrap an old vehicle will receive an additional incentive of ₹25,000. In addition, from January 1, 2027, all new L-5 category auto-rickshaws will be registered only as electric vehicles, ensuring a complete transition of this segment to electric mobility.

She said the new policy introduces comprehensive provisions for goods-carrying vehicles for the first time.

Earlier, incentives were available only for a limited number of e-cargo vehicles, along with exemptions from no-entry restrictions on certain routes. Under the new policy, N-1 category electric trucks will be eligible for a purchase incentive of up to ₹1 lakh, along with an additional benefit of up to ₹50,000 for scrapping an old vehicle. Registration of N-1 vehicles will be shifted to electric, and the first 1,000 N-2 electric trucks will receive special exemptions from no-entry restrictions, the CMO stated.

The Chief Minister said another important feature of the new policy is that it brings school transport within its ambit for the first time. It sets a target of making 30 per cent of the school bus fleet electric by 2030. While the previous policy focused on developing charging infrastructure, the new government has expanded that approach by appointing Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) as the nodal agency.

A single-window clearance system, a digital monitoring platform, a grid planning framework, and a dedicated administrative mechanism for the large-scale expansion of charging infrastructure will also be put in place.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the institutional framework under the new policy has also been significantly strengthened. While the earlier policy had only an EV Cell and the State EV Board, the new framework includes the Delhi EV Apex Committee under the chairmanship of the Transport Minister, a High-Powered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, a dedicated EV Cell with PMC support, and clearly defined responsibilities for all concerned departments to ensure effective and time-bound implementation.

She said the new policy also introduces major reforms in battery management. Earlier, the focus was limited to promoting battery recycling. The new policy provides for battery traceability, from manufacturing to recycling through digital tracking, collection centres, compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a PPP-based recycling system, and an SOP-based battery management framework.

She said the government has also strengthened the financial framework of the EV policy. Earlier, the EV Fund was primarily supported through pollution cess, road tax, and other charges. The new policy expands these funding sources by including PM E-DRIVE, various Central Government schemes, State Government budgetary provisions, and the ECC Fund, making greater financial resources available for effective implementation.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government believes not merely in announcing schemes, but in making them more effective, practical, and aligned with future requirements before implementing them. She said the Delhi EV Policy-2026 is a reflection of that approach. The policy is not intended merely to increase the number of electric vehicles but to bring about a comprehensive transformation of Delhi's transport system and lay a strong foundation for clean, modern, and sustainable mobility, she said, as per the CMO.

— ANI