Delhi promotes EV retro-fitment: EV policy 2.0

The Delhi government's future EV Policy 2.0 is planned to place a strong emphasis on encouraging vehicle electric power conversions in order to support greener fuel choices. Retrofitting conventional petrol or diesel vehicles with electric motors entails replacing the original engine and associated parts with a different energy source.

Though retrofitting can be expensive, according to transport minister Kailash Gahlot, it holds promise for a greener future if costs are reduced. In the upcoming EV policy, the government is looking into measures to encourage retrofitting. Gahlot recognizes that the cost of the retro-fitment kits now, even for entry-level vehicles, ranges from Rs. 4-5 lakh. It might therefore be more practical for expensive cars.

The new policy may provide subsidies or other advantages to encourage retrofitting. The government is also thinking about funding this kind of research and development. Gahlot has met with experts and evaluated an Indian Army-used adapted Gypsy vehicle. He has also collaborated with IIT Delhi students who are developing ground-breaking concepts for electric mobility.

Retrofitting has potential, according to Archit Fursule, a research associate on e-mobility at Climate Trends, but it will take time for it to become more widely used. Production prices are probably going to go down as demand for retrofitting rises. Fursule emphasizes the necessity of greater funding for R&D, notwithstanding the fact that the whole retro-fitment kit is not yet produced in the

EV industry of India

The government wants to make retrofitting more accessible and affordable, even if it isn't currently possible for all automobile models. Delhi intends to use its tight enforcement of NGT norms, which forbid diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles more aged than 15 years, to leverage retrofitting into the policy and invest in research to encourage the use of cleaner fuels.

The Delhi government issued an ordinance in June 2020 allowing owners of gasoline and diesel automobiles to modify their vehicles to become electric vehicles. In order to bring customers and organizations participating in the retrofitting process together, it has established a portal. 

However, there hasn't been much of a response yet. The government seeks to capitalise on its potential by incorporating retro-fitment into the new EV policy and conducting additional studies, especially considering Delhi's commitment to NGT norms.