The Delhi government seems to be taking bold turns with their ambitious journey towards the electrification of vehicles; for this, they’ve launched the new EV Policy 2.0. This policy aims to electrify 80% of new vehicles registered by 2027. It includes tax waivers for hybrid vehicles, which can bring a major shift in the city’s approach towards more sustainable transportation.
What Exactly Is The New EV Policy?
Considering the newer policy, strong hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (SHEVs & PHEVs) priced up to ₹20 lakhs will receive full exemptions on road tax and registration fees. This encourages consumers to switch from their traditional ICE vehicles to cleaner alternatives. Alongside this policy, the government states that the incentives will only apply to formally defined SHEVs and PHEVs defined by relevant government entities.
What About Battery Electric Vehicles?
This policy continues to maintain tax waivers for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as well, within the same price range. Also, a dedicated state EV fund is to be introduced, financed by green levies, pollution cess, and aggregator license fees, to add a supporting hand for these incentives and the development of better charging infrastructure.
The government will ensure the installation of more charging points and mandatory charging stations in new buildings and public spaces. Fast-charging corridors will also be made along major routes to avoid range anxiety among EV users.
Incentives & Subsidies
To accelerate the transition, the policy offers a range of subsidies:
- Electric Two-Wheelers: Up to ₹10,000 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity, capped at ₹30,000.
- Women Buyers: A subsidy of up to ₹36,000 for the first 10,000 women purchasing electric two-wheelers.
- Electric Auto-Rickshaws and Goods Carriers: Subsidies up to ₹45,000.
- Electric Light Commercial Vehicles (e-LCVs): Incentives up to ₹75,000.
- Electric School Buses: Incentives reaching ₹15 lakh for the first 200 vehicles.
- Retrofitting: Reimbursements covering 50% of retrofit kit costs, up to ₹50,000.
- Scrappage Incentives: Additional benefits ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 for scrapping older ICE vehicles.
Conclusion
While the policy sets forth an ambitious roadmap, its success hinges on effective implementation and public adoption. By focusing on incentives and infrastructure rather than mandates, Delhi aims to foster a collaborative transition to electric mobility, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable urban transportation.
