The Delhi government’s upcoming Draft EV Policy 2.0 proposes a shift in the city’s transport structure by recommending the phasing out of CNG-powered autorickshaws and several other fossil fuel vehicles. According to reports, the policy aims to replace these with electric alternatives in a bid to tackle the persistent air pollution levels in the national capital. If adopted by the cabinet, the recommendations could take effect from August 15 this year and mark a major change in how public and municipal transport systems operate in Delhi.
As per the draft policy, no new CNG autorickshaws will be registered in Delhi from August 15 2025 and no existing permits will be renewed after this date. Instead, only electric auto permits will be granted going forward. CNG-powered autos older than ten years will either need to be scrapped or converted to electric through retrofitting. The policy also recommends that private car owners who already have two vehicles will only be allowed to buy an electric vehicle if they wish to add a third to their collection. These proposals form part of a larger plan to restrict fossil fuel usage and push towards full electrification in key segments.
The draft does not stop at passenger vehicles. It proposes a total ban on registration of fossil fuel-based three-wheeler goods carriers starting from August 15 2025. A further recommendation includes banning petrol and CNG-powered two-wheelers from August 15 2026. These timelines suggest the government is preparing to enforce a sweeping overhaul of the vehicle ecosystem within the next two years. How these proposals will be implemented in practice especially for low-income drivers and small fleet operators remains to be seen.
A large portion of the proposal also targets municipal vehicles with a call for complete transition to electric vehicles used in garbage collection and civic operations. Vehicles under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Jal Board will need to switch to electric models with the goal of achieving one hundred percent electrification in this category by December 31 2027. These public sector transitions are framed as essential to demonstrating government commitment and setting an example for private players.
The move away from CNG comes at a time when it was previously considered a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel. However with rising concerns about particulate matter and global emissions trends the shift towards electric transport is increasingly viewed as inevitable. While the intent behind the policy is environmentally sound, the scale of transformation being proposed in a short span raises valid concerns over infrastructure readiness battery supply and the economic burden on drivers.
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