Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said the capital's charging infrastructure would be fully equipped to support the implementation of the new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, with plans to increase the number of charging points from 9,000 to 32,000 by 2030.
"We are ready for that," Gupta said in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, noting that the government had collaborated with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other stakeholders to ensure sufficient charging facilities. "I want to assure Delhi citizens that they will not face any hurdles in charging EVs."
Gupta said the government has already identified the land needed for the proposed charging stations despite Delhi's complex land ownership involving multiple agencies. She added that the policy had been under development for nearly a year, with consultations involving OEMs, power distribution companies, housing societies, government departments and other stakeholders.
To accelerate the rollout of charging infrastructure, the government has introduced a single-window clearance system for organisations setting up charging stations. Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) has been appointed as the nodal agency to oversee the expansion, while power distribution companies and housing societies will also play a role in developing the charging network.
"The success of this EV policy depends largely on charging infrastructure, and we are fully prepared for it," Gupta said.
She added that the policy addresses every aspect of the EV ecosystem, including charging infrastructure, battery recycling, e-waste management and future power requirements.
"Our policy is oriented towards common people first. A big segment is for two-wheelers and three-wheelers," Gupta said, adding that the government has combined incentives with mandatory provisions to speed up the transition to electric mobility.
The Chief Minister said the government is strengthening Delhi's electricity grid and substations to accommodate the growing demand for power as EV adoption increases. She also said the long-term strategy includes developing systems for battery disposal and e-waste management.
Gupta said financial incentives under the policy extend beyond purchasing electric vehicles. It also offers benefits for scrapping old vehicles, with subsidies to be transferred directly to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Vehicle owners can apply for incentives within 30 days of receiving their registration certificates, while the government aims to release subsidies within 60 days through DBT.
According to Gupta, the policy includes nearly Rs 7,000 crore in incentives and waivers as part of a broader support package worth around Rs 15,000 crore. Buyers of electric two-wheelers will receive subsidies of up to Rs 30,000, while those scrapping old vehicles will be eligible for an additional incentive of up to Rs 10,000. The policy also exempts buyers from paying road tax and registration fees.
The Delhi Cabinet has approved the new EV Policy, which waives road tax and registration charges for electric cars priced up to Rs 30 lakh. It also provides purchase incentives for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
Under the policy, only electric autorickshaws will be registered from January 1, 2027, while registrations of new petrol and CNG-powered two-wheelers will be phased out beginning April 1, 2028.
Responding to concerns about pollution caused by commercial vehicles, Gupta said the policy also includes incentives for heavy electric trucks. The first 1,000 N2-category trucks that switch to electric power between July and September will be granted permission for 24-hour entry into Delhi, a measure aimed at encouraging fleet operators to adopt cleaner transport.
She also said the transition to electric mobility would include the government's own fleet. New vehicles purchased or leased by Delhi government departments, including mechanical road-sweeping machines, water sprinklers and other municipal vehicles, will increasingly be electric.
Gupta said the policy was formulated after studying successful EV models in countries such as Norway and consulting experts and stakeholders. She added that Delhi is coordinating closely with the Centre, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and neighbouring NCR states to ensure a unified approach to reducing pollution.
"Pollution is not Delhi's problem alone. It is an NCR-wide issue, and we are receiving full support from the Centre and neighbouring states," she said.
The policy will now be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu for approval. It is scheduled to take effect from July 1 and remain in force until March 31, 2030.
