Electric-only rule for new auto-rickshaws from 2027 draws union backlash
The Delhi Government’s decision to make the registration of all new auto-rickshaws in the national capital electric-only from January 2027 has drawn criticism from auto unions, which termed the proposed transition “abrupt and forced”.
The new electric vehicle (EV) policy, which was approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in a meeting on Monday, also introduces a purchase incentive of up to `50,000 in the first year, followed by `30,000 in the second year and `20,000 in the third year.
“Any forced, sudden move like only EV auto-rickshaw registration from next year is a disruptive move. What the Government should actually do is strengthen the charging infrastructure and move the Supreme Court to relax the cap on fresh registration of three-wheelers,” Rajindra Soni, general secretary, Delhi Auto Rickshaw Sangh, said.
“We also want the subsidy for the vehicles to increase to around `1.5 lakh from both the Centre and the Delhi Government, as the current incentives are not enough. New auto-rickshaws cost around `3 lakh; how will the poor manage this? There was no consultation with us before finalising the policy,” Soni added.
The new EV policy also proposes a scrapping incentive of `25,000 to three-wheeler owners. As per the latest economic survey, 94,931 auto-rickshaws were registered in the national capital till March 2026.
“According to a study, of the total vehicular pollution in Delhi, 46 per cent is caused by two- and three-wheeler vehicles. The EV policy focuses on converting the old fleet into a new pure EV policy-compliant fleet, for which we are giving subsidies,” Niharika Rai, Commissioner, Transport Department, said.
Officials said dealers will inform the purchaser at the time of booking of the vehicle whether that model is eligible for the EV purchase incentives — which will be in the form of direct benefit transfers. To get the scrapping incentive, a certificate of deposit issued by an authorised scrapping facility will have to be submitted on an online portal being created.
“We are yet to get the full details of the policy. But for now, electric-only vehicle registration should be given more time by the Government. The incentives for transition are also not enough; there should be an increase,” Harish Sabharwal, national president of the All India Motor Transport Congress, the apex body of several buses, taxi and auto-rickshaw associations in the Delhi-NCR region, said.
In addition, under the new EV policy, an incentive of Rs 15,000 for owners scrapping old Gramin Sewa vehicles registered in Delhi has been proposed, provided a new electric Gramin Sewa vehicle equipped with lithium-ion or other advanced battery technology is purchased within six months of the scrapping. “We can not scrap our vehicles till all challans are cleared; we just request the Government to waive these off. Several of our old vehicles have these penalties, which are pending.
