The Delhi government is gearing up to launch its updated Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, referred to as Delhi EV Policy 2.0, which will replace the current version. This new framework is designed to accelerate the shift towards electric mobility in the national capital, with a strong emphasis on reducing the use of CNG and other fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
One of the key proposals under the draft policy is the gradual phasing out of CNG-powered autorickshaws—an essential part of Delhi’s public transport system. According to a government official quoted in a recent report, the registration of new CNG autorickshaws will be halted starting August 15 this year. Additionally, existing CNG autorickshaw permits will not be renewed beyond that date and will instead be replaced exclusively with permits for electric rickshaws.
The draft policy also proposes a comprehensive plan to transition several other vehicle categories to electric alternatives. All CNG autorickshaws older than ten years will need to be either retrofitted with electric powertrains or replaced entirely during the course of the policy period.
Starting August 15, 2025, the registration of diesel, petrol, and CNG-powered three-wheelers used for goods transport will also be discontinued. Looking ahead, the policy aims to ban the registration of two-wheelers running on fossil fuels from August 15, 2026.
Further, the policy lays out a roadmap for replacing vehicles used by municipal bodies. All solid waste collection vehicles operated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council, and the Delhi Jal Board will need to transition to electric models, with a full switch to electric fleets targeted by December 31, 2027.
In public transport, buses operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) will be converted to electric models for intra-city use. Only electric buses will be procured for these routes going forward, while BS6-compliant buses may still be used for inter-state operations.
While these proposals mark an ambitious step toward a greener Delhi, some aspects of the draft policy—particularly the recommendations concerning two-wheelers—may be revised before the final version is approved by the Delhi Cabinet. The current EV policy, which expired on March 31, has been extended by 15 days to allow time for the new policy’s approval and notification.
