New Delhi: A day after CM Rekha Gupta unveiled Delhi’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026, transport experts and EV users on Tuesday welcomed govt’s intent but flagged key implementation challenges.Raising concerns over the impact of this policy on commercial vehicles, the burden on low-income commuters and gaps in charging infrastructure, they spoke of the need for a technology-neutral approach and said the policy’s success will depend on how effectively these issues are addressed.The newly approved policy introduces a three-year lock-in period, preventing subsidy beneficiaries from registering their EVs outside Delhi during that time. It also mandates that only electric three-wheelers will be registered from Jan 1, 2027, and only electric two-wheelers from April 1, 2028. Gupta said govt will invest Rs 15,000 crore over four years to promote electric mobility in the capital and offer a range of subsidies for EV buyers. The move aims at reducing transport emissions, with nearly 16,900 trucks entering Delhi daily.B S Vohra, who is considering buying an EV as his BS-IV vehicle’s registration has expired, said the policy signals the future of transport. “An EV is better than using vehicles running on blended petrol. The policy is a step in the right direction as electric vehicles reduce tailpipe emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides, though they are unlikely to dramatically reduce Delhi’s PM 2.5 on their own. Therefore, pollution from road dust, the construction sector, industries, burning of waste and also regional pollution must also be tackled for meaningful improvements in air quality.”Purshottam Kalra, who owns an electric car, welcomed the policy but said a key issue remains unaddressed. “The Centre should introduce a universal EV charging card that works at all public stations, irrespective of the charging company or operator,” he said, arguing that multiple charging apps create barriers for less-initiated drivers, senior citizens and those without smartphones or digital literacy.Former transport commissioner Anil Chhikara flagged three concerns. He said the 2030 deadline for replacing school and contractual buses with EVs is unfair to operators who bought BS-VI buses in 2024-25. “These buses have a 15-year life. Phasing out BS-IV buses is justified, but BS-VI vehicles should not be affected by the policy,” he said.Chhikara also warned that the 2028 mandate for electric two-wheelers could hurt low-income households lacking home-charging facilities. “Public charging must expand into resettlement colonies, and private charger installation should be incentivised,” he said, adding the primary stress should be on boosting public transport and last-mile connectivity rather than replacing one private vehicle with another.S P Singh, senior fellow and coordinator at Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training (IFTRT), said the EV policy overlooks heavy commercial vehicles and cleaner fuels. He called for a Delhi-NCR clean-fuel policy, citing inadequate charging and grid infrastructure for heavy EVs. He recommended incentives for CNG/LNG commercial vehicles and a faster rollout of charging infra, scrappage support for older diesel trucks and setting up a joint Delhi-NCR clean-fuel task force.
