Delhi Transport Union Opposes Mandatory EV Rules, Writes to LG

A transport union representing taxi and auto operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) has urged Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu to reconsider the mandatory provisions under the newly announced electric vehicle (EV) policy, saying that the transition to electric mobility should not be imposed without adequate infrastructure and financial support.

In a letter dated July 9, the Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch opposed the proposed requirement that only electric three-wheelers be eligible for new registrations from next year, according to PTI. The organisation said the existing ecosystem was not sufficiently prepared for such a transition.

"Making EVs mandatory without these basic arrangements would place an unbearable financial burden on lakhs of drivers, small transport businesses and individual vehicle owners," Shyam Sunder, General Secretary of the Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch, was quoted as saying in the letter.

The union said it supports the adoption of cleaner technologies but noted that policy implementation should be preceded by adequate planning and consultation with stakeholders.

The association has called on the administration to review the proposed mandatory EV provisions and initiate a comprehensive public consultation involving transport organisations and other stakeholders before implementing the policy.

Also read: India's EV Components Market to Hit ₹3.55 Lakh Crore by 2032

The new Delhi EV policy introduces aggressive, legally mandated timelines to systematically eliminate traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models from the urban transport landscape. It mandates only electric three-wheelers for fresh registration from January 1, 2027.

Under the approved guidelines, the registration of new petrol and CNG-powered auto-rickshaws will be completely halted, meaning only electric three-wheelers will be permitted for registration in Delhi starting January 1, 2027.

The policy also mandates that all new two-wheelers registered from April 2028 must be electric as part of the government's roadmap to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in the national capital.