EXCLUSIVE | Rekha Gupta on Delhi's EV Policy: "Clean Air Is a Basic Human Right"

This is more of a responsible transition, rather than an aggressive transition. There is also a very practical reason behind this decision. During the winter months, vehicular emissions contribute nearly 23 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution. Clean air is not a luxury; it is more of a basic human right. That’s why our EV policy has been designed as a complete ecosystem rather than merely as a subsidy scheme. We are investing nearly Rs 1,000 crore to strengthen charging infrastructure and aim to expand Delhi’s public-charging network from around 9,000 charging points today to nearly 32,000 charging points during the policy period. Alongside this, we are supporting battery swapping, promoting skill development, simplifying approvals and creating a transparent digital system for incentives. Our objective is simple: before asking people to change their vehicles, the government must first create the confidence that the entire ecosystem is ready.

Our objective is not merely to encourage people to purchase EVs; our objective is to ensure that owning an EV becomes financially smarter over its entire life cycle. The policy provides purchase incentives across different vehicle categories, registration fee exemptions, road-tax benefits and attractive scrapping incentives for eligible vehicles.

However, the real economic advantage begins after the vehicle is purchased. An EV costs significantly less to run than a petrol or diesel vehicle. The maintenance cost is also considerably lower because an EV has far fewer moving mechanical components than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. For someone who drives long distances every day, these savings are reflected in the household budget every month.

Our policy is especially sensitive to the needs of Delhi’s gig economy. Today, thousands of young people earn their livelihoods through delivery services, logistics platforms and shared mobility. Their vehicles are not simply modes of transport; they are productive assets that determine their daily earnings. By reducing fuel expenses and maintenance costs, we are helping them to increase their income while simultaneously contributing to cleaner air for the city.

Another important aspect is financing. As EV adoption grows, financial institutions are becoming increasingly confident about lending for EVs. Better financing options, lower running costs and government incentives together make EV ownership much more affordable than many people currently believe. As battery technology improves and manufacturing scales up, prices are expected to become even more competitive over the coming years.

Two-wheelers account for nearly two-thirds of Delhi’s registered vehicles, making them the largest segment on our roads. If Delhi wants to significantly reduce vehicular emissions, this category has to be part of the solution. At the same time, we also recognise that millions of families depend on two-wheelers for their daily commute, work and livelihood. That is why we have provided a clear roadmap instead of sudden restrictions. The proposed timeline up to 2028 gives the entire ecosystem sufficient time to mature while ensuring that citizens have multiple affordable and reliable choices before any major transition takes place.

The government has earmarked nearly Rs 1,000 crore to strengthen this ecosystem. Our vision is that charging should become as accessible as withdrawing cash from an ATM. To ensure that expansion happens efficiently, Delhi Transco has been entrusted with planning and monitoring the charging network. We are also introducing a single-window clearance mechanism to simplify approvals for charging infrastructure.

Technology is also moving in our favour. Battery efficiency continues to improve, charging times are reducing, more vehicle models are entering the market and manufacturing costs are gradually declining. By 2028, consumers will have access to significantly better products than those available today.

We have approached this policy with an open mind and after extensive consultations with industry, technical experts, environmental specialists and other stakeholders. Our decision is not based on identifying which technology can deliver the greatest environmental benefit for Delhi at this point in time.

Flex-fuel technology is certainly an important innovation, and it has its own role in India’s broader mobility landscape. However, flex-fuel vehicles still rely on internal combustion engines and continue to produce tailpipe emissions, even if those emissions are lower than conventional petrol vehicles. Delhi faces unique environmental challenges. During winter, when air quality deteriorates significantly, we need solutions that can make the maximum possible difference in reducing local emissions. Battery EVs offer zero tailpipe emissions, making them the most effective option for improving urban air quality.

Air pollution is a complex challenge influenced by multiple factors, including vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial activity, biomass burning, seasonal weather conditions and pollution originating beyond Delhi’s boundaries. Anyone who promises that one policy alone will solve the entire problem is oversimplifying a very complex issue. This policy is designed precisely with that objective in mind. There is another important difference between the previous framework and the direction we are now taking. Our focus is not only on encouraging EV purchases but on building a complete ecosystem that supports large-scale adoption.

The Bharatiya Janata Party government is clear in its mandate: clean air is not a political promise, it is a public responsibility. This policy is one important step in fulfilling that responsibility. It may not be the only solution, but it is certainly one of the most important building blocks in creating a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Delhi for future generations.

As a government, we cannot celebrate technological progress while ignoring those who have spent decades building their skills around conventional automobiles. Development should never leave people behind; it should take everyone along. We fully recognise that EVs require a different set of technical skills. The answer, however, is not to replace these mechanics, it is to empower them with new capabilities. That’s why our policy places significant emphasis on skill development and capacity building. The objective is to ensure that today’s mechanics become tomorrow’s EV specialists rather than being left behind by technological change. When Delhi moves towards cleaner mobility, we want every mechanic, every technician and every young entrepreneur to move forward with it.

Our objective is not just to promote EVs; it is to build a truly sustainable circular economy around them. Our policy does not treat batteries as waste; it treats them as valuable resources that should be recovered, recycled and brought back into the economic cycle wherever possible.

We are also encouraging the development of organised battery-collection systems, authorised recycling facilities and safe handling practices. As battery-swapping networks expand across Delhi, they will naturally strengthen formal collection channels because batteries will increasingly move through organised networks rather than informal disposal systems. This reduces environmental risks while improving traceability and accountability.

Environmental challenges do not recognise state boundaries, and neither should our solutions. Delhi shares its economic, social and transport ecosystem with the NCR. Therefore, clean mobility cannot be viewed through the lens of one state alone. At the same time, I do not believe Delhi should wait for others before taking the first step. Leadership means moving ahead with conviction.

If Delhi demonstrates that electric mobility leads to cleaner air, lower operating costs, better infrastructure and new economic opportunities, neighbouring states will naturally find value in adopting similar approaches. We also recognise that coordination is essential. The Government of Delhi will continue to work closely with the Government of India, neighbouring state governments and regional institutions to promote greater harmonisation in charging infrastructure, vehicle standards and clean mobility planning across the NCR. Air pollution is a shared challenge, and collaborative solutions will always produce better outcomes than isolated efforts.

The success of our EV policy depends on making charging convenient for every resident, irrespective of where they live. Instead of expecting every household to instal an individual charger, we are creating a model based on shared, community-based charging infrastructure. Resident welfare associations, group housing societies and housing developers will be encouraged and supported in establishing common charging facilities that can be used by all residents.

Future urban planning is another important aspect of our strategy. We have decided that new government buildings and public infrastructure projects should be designed with EV readiness from the beginning. As Delhi continues to expand and redevelop, charging infrastructure should become a standard feature rather than an afterthought.

I believe that clean mobility must become the convenience of everyone. That is the spirit in which we have designed this policy. Our vision is that every resident of Delhi, irres­pective of where they live, should have the confidence that switching to an EV is not only environmentally responsible but also practical, convenient and affordable.