Rekha Gupta govt's big decision as Delhi prepares new EV policy to fight pollution — big subsidy relief planned for middle class

With air quality in the capital slipping into the ‘severe’ zone and public pressure mounting for firm action, the Rekha Gupta government has decided to fast-track a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy for Delhi. The move comes as Delhi battles rising emissions from traffic and looks to push a large-scale shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to cleaner electric mobility.

Draft EV policy likely by early January

Senior officials said the new EV policy is in its final stages and could be placed in the public domain before the end of the first week of January. The government wants quick feedback so that the policy can be rolled out without delay.

Big relief for two-wheeler buyers

One of the biggest highlights of the draft is generous support for electric two-wheelers. The government is preparing to offer a subsidy of around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 for people who switch from petrol scooters and bikes to electric ones. With two-wheelers forming a large share of daily traffic in the city, officials believe this step can bring down emissions sharply while easing the cost burden on ordinary commuters.

Middle-class car owners to get support

The policy is also set to bring relief for families planning to buy small and mid-size cars. According to officials, buyers of petrol or diesel cars priced up to Rs 20 lakh who shift to electric vehicles may be eligible for incentives under the new framework. The idea is to make EVs a realistic option for middle-income households, not just premium buyers.

Boost for commercial three-wheelers

To tackle pollution from last-mile transport, the government is planning attractive subsidies for commercial three-wheelers as well. Auto-rickshaws and goods carriers running on petrol or diesel will be encouraged to move to electric alternatives through financial support. This is expected to benefit drivers while cutting emissions on busy city roads.

Crackdown on vehicles without PUC

At a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi Secretariat, it was made clear that there will be no leniency for vehicles running without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Under current rules, the fine is Rs 10,000, but in many cases penalties get reduced through legal settlements. The Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure strict enforcement so that the deterrent effect is not diluted.

Talks with Ola, Uber for e-bus services

The government is also exploring partnerships with ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber to introduce electric or zero-emission buses on shared and pooled routes across Delhi-NCR. The move is aimed at reducing the number of private vehicles on roads and strengthening affordable, clean public transport options for daily commuters.

New guidelines for e-rickshaws

Unregulated movement of e-rickshaws has been flagged as a cause of congestion in several areas. The government plans to issue fresh guidelines to define routes and operating zones for e-rickshaws so that traffic flow improves without hurting livelihoods.

DTC routes to be reorganised

Delhi Transport Corporation bus services will also undergo a revamp. Routes are set to be scientifically reorganised to improve last-mile connectivity and reduce travel time. Officials believe that a stronger bus network will encourage people to leave their cars at home and rely more on public transport.

A multi-pronged push against pollution

The Chief Minister has asked all departments – environment, transport, traffic police, PWD and the pollution control committee – to work in close coordination and roll out decisions without delay. The government says its focus is not on raising revenue through fines but on ensuring effective control of pollution and making Delhi cleaner and more liveable.