End of the Road for CNG Autos? Delhi Govt Eyes Full EV Transition Under New Policy (image/pixabay)
New Delhi: The staple green-yellow CNG autorickshaws may soon disappear from the city streets as the Delhi government is considering phasing them out and replacing them with electric three-wheelers under its new e-vehicle policy, according to a Times of India report.
The newspaper stated that under its EV Policy 2.0, the Delhi government would halt any CNG auto registration from August 15, and their permits would be substituted or re-issued only for electric autos. The provision is yet to be finalised, while the EV Policy 2.0 is expected to be rolled out soon.
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The draft policy reportedly also suggested that no two-wheeler of any category running on petrol, CNG or diesel should be permitted after August 2026. A transport official, however, stated that such a provision would most likely not be considered in the final policy, as there is a high number of two-wheelers in the capital, and removing them could potentially cause a transport crisis, reported TOI.
The current EV policy has been extended by an additional 15 days after its expiration on March 31. The extension is likely the final one.
The Delhi government has also set other ambitious targets for either phasing out or curbing the use of petrol, CNG, and diesel vehicles while promoting EVs. No diesel, petrol or CNG three-wheeler will be registered in the goods category from August 15.
According to the report, the policy could ask civic authorities including MCD, NDMC, and DJB to transition their garbage collection vans to EVs in a phased manner and achieve a 100 per cent electric fleet by December 2027.
Yet another proposal is expected to require all private car owners in the capital to purchase only e-vehicles for the third or subsequent car registered at the same residential address.
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Reportedly, the transport department also got the International Council on Clean Transportation to conduct a study on the feasibility of converting government trucks to e-vehicles to reduce pollution levels.
The current EV policy offers a variety of subsidies, including a 25 per cent purchase subsidy up to Rs 5,500 for e-cycles, Rs 30,000 for e-rickshaws and e-carts, Rs 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (capped at Rs 30,000) for two-wheelers and Rs 30,000 for e-light commercial vehicles.
