According to top sources with knowledge of the situation, the Delhi government extended the deadline for its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy by four months, to November 15, because a draft of the new policy is still being reviewed and approved.
According to Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, the document is undergoing revisions and would probably not be finalised for at least four months. He stated, “We have extended the current policy until November 15 for the time being and may extend it further if necessary.” “To guarantee that the general public gains from a cleaner, more sustainable transport system, we are speaking with specialists and looking into every practical alternative.” “EV registrations are already on the rise, and public interest is increasing.”
Since it was first implemented in 2020 and expired in August 2023, the present EV policy has been extended multiple times. E-cycles are currently eligible for a 25% purchase incentive (up to ₹5,500); e-rickshaws and e-carts are eligible for ₹30,000; and two-wheelers are eligible for ₹5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (up to ₹30,000). Additionally, light electric commercial vehicles qualify for a ₹30,000 subsidy.
A fresh draft has been developed and discussed with the transport minister and chief minister Rekha Gupta, according to officials with knowledge of the situation. Nevertheless, more modifications have been proposed, and the manuscript will go through yet another round of editing. It will be submitted to the cabinet for final approval after being revised and made available for public comment for at least 15 days.
Both the lieutenant governor and the cabinet must approve the final version. According to a top source in the transport department, this process is probably going to take several months.
The cabinet had previously reviewed the draft on April 15 but refrained from endorsing suggestions that called for the two-wheelers and CNG autorickshaws to be phased out within two years. Over the next three years, the capital is expected to adopt all electric vehicles, according to the draft policy.
The draft’s main recommendations include replacing all CNG-powered autorickshaws with electric vehicles by August 2025 and outlawing the registration of petrol, diesel and CNG two-wheelers after August 15, 2026.
“It is anticipated that the subsidy cap for more reasonably priced EVs will remain in place under the updated policy.” “As previously suggested, EVs under ₹25 lakh will qualify for subsidies, while more expensive vehicles will be subject to appropriate levies.” “The goal is to encourage producers to create reasonably priced EVs,“ Singh stated.
According to representatives of the transport department, the need for households with two cars to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) if they want to purchase a third vehicle is another element that might be kept from the initial draft.
Along with subsidies and tax breaks for EV purchases, officials said the programme will also continue to provide incentives for the installation of battery swapping stations and charging infrastructure.