The Government of India issued a draft notification directing the Transport Department of the Government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi to increase electric vehicle adoption to curb the increasing air pollution.

The draft notification issued under the Department of Environment and Forests stated that the transport sector is the primary source of air pollution in Delhi, especially PM2.5 emissions. Vehicular emission also accounted for 80% of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxides in Delhi’s air.

The national capital is a hub for personal motorized vehicles in India, with 13.3 million registered vehicles. The growth in vehicle numbers would be a significant challenge for sustainable environmental management.

The notification said aggregators like ride-hailing services, food delivery service providers, e-commerce logistic providers, and courier services have altered vehicle patterns in Delhi, gaining momentum and expanding their businesses.

So, the central government has directed the Delhi government to ensure that all aggregators and delivery service providers include 10% of electric two-wheelers and 5% of electric four-wheelers in their new onboarded fleet within three months. And within March 31, 2023, the percentage should rise to 50% of electric two-wheelers and 25% of electric four-wheelers.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjourning areas had advised a mandate for zero-emission vehicles for NCR to be finalized and implemented by state governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and NCT of Delhi in a time-bound manner.

The Commission had further advised that the Government of NCT of Delhi should prioritize early electrification of public transport, paratransit, feeder service, large delivery fleet, and government-owned vehicles. The Delhi government should also mandate that a percentage of public vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, buses, feeder services, government vehicles, and delivery fleets, be higher than personal vehicles.

With the implementation of the listed regulations, the government aims at reducing the pollution levels across the national capital territory in the coming months.

In November 2021, the Delhi Government announced that only electric vehicles and compressed natural gas (CNG)-vehicles would be allowed entry into the city from November 27 to December 3, 2021, as the air quality in the national capital continues to remain poor.

Mercom had earlier reported that the Delhi Government issued the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, 2020, to boost the adoption of electric vehicles in the capital city following the unsatisfactory results of the central government’s effort. Under the policy, electric two-wheelers, e-rickshaws, and goods carriers receive purchase incentives of ₹30,000 (~$401), while electric cars receive incentives ranging between ₹10,000 (~134) and ₹150,000 (~$2,007).

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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