EV policy update: No more CNG-powered auto-rickshaws in Delhi? 

The Delhi government might consider phasing out CNG-powered auto-rickshaws from Delhi's roads, Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday.  The update is likely to be announced in the upcoming Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0.

According to the Policy's draft, Delhi will not allow the registration of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws after Aug.15 this year. From Aug.15, the UT will not renew the CNG auto permits, instead, all such permits will be re-issued or substituted by e-auto permits, the report added.

The policy draft also suggests that city buses and civic organisations phase out solid waste-emitting fossil fuel-powered vehicles in substantial quantities. During the policy period, all CNG auto-rickshaws older than ten years must be replaced or converted to run on batteries.

In a strong recommendation, the draft policy also lays down that two-wheelers running on petrol, diesel, and CNG will not be allowed from 15 August 2026.

Similarly, it recommends that no diesel, petrol, or CNG three-wheeler registration will be allowed for goods carriers from August 15, 2025.

The draft EV Policy 2.0 also mandates all garbage collection vehicles leased and owned by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Jal Board to be transitioned to electric vehicles in a phased manner and achieve 100 percent electric fleet by December 31, 2027.

It also recommends that public transport buses operated by the DRC and DIMTS be converted into e-buses. The DTC and DIMTS will procure only electric buses for intra-city operations and BS VI for inter-state service with the beginning of the policy.

The Delhi government extended its current Electric Vehicle policy by 15 days following its expiration on March 31. This extension is expected to be the final one, as the new draft policy is almost complete, officials said.

The policy will be notified after its approval by the Delhi Cabinet. It seeks to improve the situation of air pollution in Delhi with the replacement of a large number of fossil fuel-run vehicles in an aggressive manner, the report added.

The draft policy also strongly recommends that starting on August 15, 2026, two-wheelers powered by gasoline, diesel, or compressed natural gas (CNG) will not be permitted. In a similar vein, it suggests that starting on August 15, 2025, goods transporters will not be permitted to register three-wheelers powered by diesel, gasoline, or CNG. Additionally, the draft EV Policy 2.0 requires that all waste collection trucks owned or leased by the Delhi Jal Board, New Delhi Municipal Council, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi undergo a phased transition to electric vehicles to reach a fleet that is all electric by December 31, 2027.