New Delhi is considering major reforms to address its pollution crisis, including limiting the number of petrol and diesel cars a family can own and prohibiting the sale of fuel-guzzling two-wheelers. A new draft policy proposes steps to boost the city’s adoption of electric vehicles and reduce increasing emissions.
The Delhi government intends to waive local taxes on hybrid vehicles, giving them the same benefits as electric vehicles. Meanwhile, a new fuel fee of 0.5 rupees per litre of petrol is under consideration.
The proposed policy emphasises the critical need to address air pollution, support India’s energy aspirations, and meet net-zero targets. Delhi’s winter seasons are known for retaining pollutants, resulting in poor air quality, school closures, and travel delays. The city implemented its first EV policy in 2020, with EVs expected to account for 12% of new car sales by 2024.
The second phase begins on April 1, 2027, with no new petrol or diesel two-wheelers being sold. Electric bike and scooter buyers can receive monetary incentives of up to $350 (about ₹29,905). The proposal also limits fossil fuel automobile purchases to two per household, with the third vehicle having to be electric.
