The Delhi government on Saturday unveiled the draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 (2026–2030), outlining a sweeping transition plan that combines incentives, tax relief and phased restrictions, including a ban on new petrol two-wheelers from April 2028.
The draft policy, issued by the Transport Department’s EV Cell and opened for public consultation for 30 days, aims to address the capital’s persistent air pollution while accelerating electric vehicle adoption. It lays down defined timelines for different vehicle segments to shift to cleaner alternatives.
Tax waivers and phased restrictions anchor policy push
Under the proposal, electric vehicles will be exempt from road tax and registration fees until March 31, 2030. Electric cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh will receive full benefits, while strong hybrids will get a 50 per cent concession. EVs priced above Rs 30 lakh will not qualify for tax waivers.
The policy proposes a major shift in the two-wheeler segment, which accounts for nearly 67 per cent of Delhi’s vehicle population. Registration of new petrol-powered two-wheelers will be stopped from April 1, 2028.
Electric three-wheelers will become mandatory from January 1, 2027. Additionally, aggregators and commercial operators will not be allowed to add new petrol or diesel two-wheelers and light goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes to their fleets from January 1, 2026.
What changes under Delhi EV Policy 2.0
- Registration of new petrol two-wheelers to stop from April 1, 2028
- Electric three-wheelers to become mandatory from January 1, 2027
- No new petrol or diesel two-wheelers and light goods vehicles in aggregator fleets from January 1, 2026
- 100 per cent road tax and registration fee waiver for EVs till March 31, 2030
- Electric two-wheeler incentives of up to Rs 30,000 in the first year
- Scrappage-linked benefits proposed for replacing older BS-IV and earlier vehicles
Incentives structured to reward early adopters
The draft outlines time-bound incentives that span over three years to push early adoption.
Electric two-wheelers priced up to Rs 2.25 lakh will get incentives of Rs 10,000 per kWh, capped at Rs 30,000 in the first year. This will drop to Rs 6,600 per kWh up to Rs 20,000 in the second year and Rs 3,300 per kWh up to Rs 10,000 in the third year.
Electric three-wheelers will receive Rs 50,000 in the first year, Rs 40,000 in the second year and Rs 30,000 in the third year.
For electric light commercial vehicles in the N1 category, incentives begin at Rs 1 lakh in the first year and reduce to Rs 75,000 in the second and Rs 50,000 in the third.
Scrappage benefits linked to cleaner transition
Buyers of electric cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh will be eligible for scrappage-linked incentives if they replace BS-IV or older vehicles registered in Delhi within six months. The benefit will be limited to the first one lakh applicants.
Similar incentives will be available for buyers of electric goods vehicles, replacing older polluting vehicles.
The policy also proposes scrappage incentives of Rs 10,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 25,000 for three-wheelers and Rs 50,000 for light goods vehicles.
Officials said incentives will be disbursed through direct bank transfers upon online claims, following guidelines under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
Who gets what under the draft policy
- Electric two-wheelers: Up to Rs 30,000 in year one, reducing over three years
- Electric three-wheelers: Rs 50,000 in year one, then Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000
- Electric light goods vehicles: Rs 1 lakh in year one, then Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000
- Electric cars up to Rs 30 lakh: Scrappage-linked benefit for eligible buyers
- Additional scrappage support: Rs 10,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 25,000 for three-wheelers, Rs 50,000 for N1 goods vehicles
Policy reflects shift towards regulatory push: WRI India
Chaitanya Kanuri, Director-Electric Mobility at WRI India, said the draft marks a transition in how Delhi is approaching EV adoption.
“The draft Delhi EV Policy 2026-2030 builds on nearly a decade of progressive transport electrification policies, demonstrating Delhi’s continued EV leadership.”
“By combining the provision of purchase incentives with vehicle electrification mandates, the policy reflects a maturing EV ecosystem that offers continued support to consumers while also signalling a move towards a regulatory approach to the EV transition.”
“A significant factor of the draft policy is that it draws its support from Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees a person’s right to life, including the right to clean air and a pollution-free environment. This is a powerful reminder that transport electrification is a critical lever in India’s battle against air pollution and its rising toll on public health,” added Kanuri.
Public consultation opens, feedback invited
The government has invited stakeholders and the general public to submit feedback on the draft policy within 30 days.
“The draft Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026 is hereby uploaded on the official website of Transport Department, GNCTD for the information of general public. All stakeholders including general public are invited to submit their feedback/comments within 30 days from the date of publication through the following modes: 1. By e-mail: evpolicy2026@gmail.com
2. By Post: Joint Commissioner (EV), Transport Department, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, 5/9 Underhill Road, Delhi- 110054,” the official circular said.
“All inputs/representations may kindly be submitted only through the above- mentioned modes. In this regard, the public is humbly requested to avoid visiting the office premises, as the same may cause unnecessary crowding. No objections or suggestions received after the expiry of the said period shall be considered,” it added.
According to the circular, the policy is aimed at reducing air pollution and promoting clean mobility, drawing from the Right to Clean Air under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Separately, on March 20, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta flagged off 300 new electric buses in the city and announced interstate services to Ghaziabad.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said more than one lakh EVs have been registered since the current government took charge.
“After our government came to power, we registered more than 1 lakh EV vehicles. There are many reasons why EVs are not advancing further. The previous government did not provide subsidies for EVs. We are providing those subsidies, but if the previous government had given subsidies, perhaps the people of Delhi would have made more efforts to adopt EVs,” he said.