Draft EV policy: New projects by MCD, NDMC to be equipped for EV charging

All new infrastructure projects undertaken by urban local bodies, including MCD and NDMC, will be required to be equipped for electric vehicle charging, according to the draft EV Policy 2026 released on Saturday.

According to the draft policy, departments, autonomous bodies and civic agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment Board, will have to ensure that new civil projects are EV-charging-ready, with adequate electrical capacity for installing charging infrastructure.

The policy also places responsibility on civic and land-owning agencies to periodically identify suitable land parcels for setting up public charging and battery swapping stations and extend support for their planning and implementation. The move is aimed at expanding charging infrastructure alongside the expected rise in electric vehicle adoption in the city.

Separately, the draft policy proposes a wider framework for developing charging and battery swapping infrastructure, with Delhi Transco Limited designated as the nodal agency for planning and coordination.

The draft policy also provides for a single-window clearance system to facilitate faster approvals for setting up charging stations and related infrastructure.

As per the draft policy, Delhi Transco Limited has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for planning, implementation, and grid integration of the charging and battery-swapping network.

The draft proposes a single-window clearance mechanism to fast-track approvals, a unified digital platform for infrastructure management, and coordinated planning with land-owning agencies and district authorities to ensure optimal rollout and grid readiness. The policy places strong emphasis on sustainable battery management.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee will oversee the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, battery collection systems, recycling frameworks, and safe disposal mechanisms.