Delhi's Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2.0 is expected to generate up to 20,000 jobs and will facilitate the establishment of battery collection centres, alongside the development of a city-wide network of charging and swappable battery stations.

In an interview with media sources regarding the newly proposed policy, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the primary objective of the policy is to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in order to reduce pollution levels.

The policy will primarily focus on mass vehicle categories such as two-wheelers, buses, three-wheelers, and goods carriers, with the aim of transitioning these segments to electric mobility.

According to the policy draft accessed by media sources, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) intends to create 20,000 EV-related jobs during the policy period. In addition, battery collection centres may be established to support and enhance the battery recycling ecosystem.

"By 2027, the Government has set a target of ensuring that 95% of all new vehicle registrations are electric, which will significantly reduce emissions across the city," said Sirsa.

He further added, "The ambition is to guarantee widespread public access to charging and battery swapping infrastructure. By 2030, the objective is to achieve 100% availability of recharging facilities for all categories of electric vehicles."

The policy also includes provisions for establishing battery collection centres and deploying a comprehensive network of charging and swappable battery stations throughout the city.

Furthermore, it proposes the establishment of Skill Centres to provide training in various aspects of the EV ecosystem. These centres will be developed in collaboration with academic institutions to create a skilled EV workforce.

An intensive public outreach campaign is also planned to raise awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles and to educate citizens on the key elements of the policy.

As part of the Government's broader clean mobility strategy, the policy aims to transform Delhi's transportation landscape and substantially reduce vehicular emissions.

To support this transition, the Government plans to strengthen the existing 'State EV Fund' by drawing from the Air Ambience Fund and levies on non-electric vehicles. Additionally, a dedicated Delhi Clean Mobility Centre will be established for effective policy implementation and administration.

The proposal is currently under Government review and is expected to receive formal approval in the near future.

Designed to complement the Centre's PM E-Drive scheme, EV Policy 2.0 seeks to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the capital.

The draft of EV Policy 2.0, which is expected to be announced shortly by the Delhi Government, recommends the phasing out of CNG-powered autorickshaws.

According to the draft, registration of CNG autorickshaws will be prohibited from 15th August, 2025. Furthermore, CNG auto permits will not be renewed beyond that date, and all such permits will either be substituted or re-issued exclusively as e-auto permits.

The policy draft also recommends phasing out fossil fuel-powered vehicles used for solid waste transportation by civic bodies, as well as conventional city buses.

All CNG autorickshaws older than ten years will be mandatorily replaced or retrofitted to operate on battery power during the policy period.

In a significant directive, the draft policy stipulates that petrol-, diesel-, and CNG-powered two-wheelers will be prohibited from 15th August 2026.

Similarly, it recommends that registration of diesel-, petrol-, and CNG-powered three-wheelers used for goods transportation will be disallowed from 15th August 2025.

The Delhi Government recently extended its current Electric Vehicle Policy by 15 days following its expiration on 31st March. The new policy will be officially notified following approval by the Delhi Cabinet.

It aims to improve air quality in Delhi by aggressively replacing a substantial number of fossil fuel-powered vehicles.