To clean up the capital's air and get more electric vehicles onto its roads, the Delhi government on Wednesday formally notified the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy 2026. The policy ties electric mobility to cleaner air and a stronger support system. It was cleared by the Delhi Cabinet led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and will run until March 31, 2030.
The Delhi Cabinet approved the EV policy on Monday under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, after which it was sent to LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu for final approval. According to the notification, using the powers granted under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the rules made under it, the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi notifies the Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy, 2026 with effect from July 1, 2026.
Road tax relief and a phased registration switch
Under the new policy, electric cars priced at Rs 30 lakh or less get full relief, with both road tax and registration fees waived in the national capital. The policy also fixes future limits on fossil fuel vehicles. One key change: from January 1, 2027, only electric auto rickshaws will be registered.
The rules for two-wheelers will shift in stages. Registration of new petrol and CNG two-wheelers will be scaled back over time, and from April 1, 2028, only electric two-wheelers will be registered. The goal is clear, to move everyday travel away from petrol and CNG and toward electricity.
Subsidies, eligibility, and the payment timeline
The policy lays out a three-year subsidy schedule for electric two-wheelers. Buyers get Rs 30,000 in the first year. That support drops to Rs 20,000 in the second year and falls further to Rs 10,000 in the third year.
Subsidies must be paid within 60 days of applying for the incentive. The relief covers two-wheelers priced up to Rs 2.25 lakh. Incentives apply in Delhi to electric two-wheelers, three-wheeler autos, and four-wheeled goods vehicles, and the money reaches eligible Delhi residents through direct benefit transfers.
These direct transfers can go not only to individual buyers but also to proprietary firms. Agencies and companies can receive support too, as long as they are residents of Delhi. A Model Approval Committee under the Transport department will list eligible EV models, and this panel will decide which vehicle segments can claim incentives.
Charging network, battery swapping, and single-window clearances
The policy plans a major public charging build-out. The state government will invest around Rs 15,000 crore over four years, and more than 30,000 EV charging points will be installed across the national capital. The policy also promotes easier access to charging and battery swapping.
To speed up approvals, the policy sets up a single-window clearance system meant to fast-track charging and battery-swapping projects. Resident welfare associations and housing societies are encouraged to install chargers. Officials said these steps should cut delays and improve access at the neighbourhood level.
Battery recycling rules and environmental checks
Battery recycling and environmental duties are central to the policy. The environment department will ensure that makers and other entities follow the Battery Waste Management Rules. The Chief Minister said oversight will focus on compliance, tying electric mobility to responsible battery handling.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will set up battery collection centres through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. It will also issue standard operating procedures for safe handling, covering the collection, storage, transport, and transfer of used batteries. The Chief Minister added that batteries must go to authorised recyclers.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the policy aims for cleaner air and better transport systems. It also includes a provision to bring hydrogen fuel-based vehicles within four years. In a statement, Gupta said that backed by financial incentives, a robust charging network, institutional oversight, digital transparency and environmental responsibility, the policy will play an important role in establishing Delhi as a leading model for electric mobility in the country. She added that it will also pave the way for reducing pollution, promoting clean energy, and giving citizens a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system.
With the policy now notified, the government has fixed clear dates and benefits. It offers tax relief for eligible electric cars and phased limits on petrol options. It also sets subsidy timelines, charging expansion plans, and battery recycling steps, and it will remain in force until March 31, 2030.
