New Delhi, July 1: The Delhi government has taken a significant step towards promoting a clean, modern, and pollution-free transportation system by notifying the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, 2026. This policy is effective from July 1, 2026, and will remain in force until March 31, 2030.
According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the new policy aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Delhi, improve air quality, reduce reliance on traditional fuels, expand charging and battery swapping infrastructure, and develop a robust ecosystem for electric vehicles. The policy emphasizes financial incentives, digital transparency, institutional oversight, and environmental responsibility equally.
The policy specifically references the latest report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The commission noted that during winter, vehicle emissions contribute approximately 23% to air pollution in Delhi, the highest among all sources. The report indicates that around 67% of the total vehicles in Delhi are two-wheelers, making their rapid electrification essential for reducing air pollution. Additionally, three-wheelers, commercial cars, and N-1 category freight vehicles also contribute significantly to urban pollution due to their daily mileage. Therefore, the policy prioritizes the electrification of these vehicle categories.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that this policy is not limited to promoting the purchase of electric vehicles. It presents a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a long-term clean transportation system by integrating charging networks, battery swapping, battery recycling, energy management, digital service delivery, and environmental protection. She mentioned that a robust institutional framework has been created for effective implementation. The Transport Department will serve as the nodal department, establishing a dedicated EV cell responsible for the policy’s operation, clarification, guidelines, and coordination tasks. A dedicated Project Management Consultant (PMC) will also be appointed.
Furthermore, a model approval committee under the Transport Department will be formed to declare electric vehicle models eligible for incentives and subsidies. This committee will test and approve various EV models based on set technical standards, eligibility criteria, and operational guidelines. Only models approved by the committee will qualify for government incentives. Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) has been designated as the nodal agency for expanding charging and battery swapping infrastructure. DTL will plan, coordinate, set technical standards, operate a digital portal, and ensure coordination among various departments for public charging stations. This will facilitate the phased expansion of public and community charging networks and simplify the establishment of charging stations through a single-window system.
To ensure effective implementation and high-level monitoring, a high-powered committee will be formed under the Chief Secretary’s leadership. This committee will include representatives from the Transport, Energy, Planning, Environment, Finance departments, DTL, DISCOMs, and other relevant agencies. It will regularly review the policy’s implementation and ensure coordination among various departments. The Chief Minister also mentioned that a top committee for the EV policy will address significant issues related to its implementation, recommend necessary amendments, and advise the government on future technologies related to hydrogen or other clean fuels. The structure and mandate of the high-powered committee and the top committee for the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy will be notified separately after the Chief Minister’s approval.
The new EV policy also places special emphasis on battery recycling and environmental responsibility. The Environment Department will ensure that all vehicle manufacturers and related entities comply with battery waste management regulations. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will develop battery collection centers under a public-private partnership model and notify standard operating procedures for the safe collection, storage, transport, and transfer of batteries to authorized recyclers. The Education Department has also been assigned crucial responsibilities under the policy. It will oversee the phased electrification of school buses and conduct awareness campaigns in schools regarding air pollution, environmental protection, energy conservation, and clean transportation. Meanwhile, the Revenue Department will ensure the identification and availability of suitable government land for charging and battery swapping infrastructure.
The Chief Minister clearly stated that the new electric vehicle policy will be a significant initiative towards clean air, modern transportation, energy conservation, and sustainable development. Through financial incentives, a strong charging network, institutional oversight, digital transparency, and environmental responsibility, this policy aims to position the capital as a leading model for electric mobility in the country. It will pave the way for pollution reduction, promote the use of clean energy, and provide a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system for citizens.
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