Govt approves plan to replace old trucks, buses with EVs

The Delhi Government has approved the proposal to implement and support the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ scheme for reducing vehicular emissions in the national capital. According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, this scheme aims to phase out old, polluting trucks and buses and replace them with BS-VI, higher-emission-standard or electric vehicles, thereby reducing transport-related air pollution and emissions.

The Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivisation of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions (PARIVARTAN) aims to phase out old, polluting trucks and buses and replace them with BS-VI, higher-emission-standard or electric vehicles, thereby reducing transport-related air pollution and emissions.

The chief minister said, “The scheme marks an important step towards replacing old, highly polluting trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI, higher-emission-standard or electric vehicles. It will strengthen the capital’s clean transport system while helping modernise the commercial vehicle fleet and reduce air pollution.”

The Chief Minister said that under the scheme, owners of BS-IV or older Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) who scrap their vehicles and purchase a new electric LGV will receive a 100 per cent exemption on motor vehicle tax and registration fees for 10 years from the Delhi Government. They will also be eligible for a 5 per cent interest subvention, an 8 per cent discount from the vehicle manufacturer (OEM), and fuel vouchers or a one-time benefit equivalent to the discounted value of the fuel vouchers. If, instead of purchasing a new electric LGV, the owner buys a used electric LGV, the beneficiary will receive a 50 per cent exemption on motor vehicle tax for 10 years, a 5 per cent interest subvention, and a one-time benefit equivalent to the discounted value of the fuel vouchers.

The scheme also covers Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) that are BS-IV or older. Owners who scrap such vehicles and purchase new BS-VI, higher-emission-standard or electric goods vehicles will be eligible for a 100 per cent exemption on motor vehicle tax for 10 years, a 100 per cent waiver of registration fees, a 5 per cent interest subvention, an 8 per cent OEM discount, and fuel vouchers or a one-time benefit equivalent to the discounted value of the fuel vouchers. If a used BS-VI or electric goods vehicle is purchased instead of a new one, the beneficiary will receive a 50 per cent exemption on motor vehicle tax for 10 years, a 5 per cent interest subvention, and a one-time benefit equivalent to the discounted value of the fuel vouchers.

According to the government, the scheme is expected to benefit around 2.07 lakh truck and bus owners in the Delhi-NCR. “It will replace a large number of old, highly polluting commercial vehicles with cleaner and more modern ones, leading to a reduction in air pollution.  The Delhi Government is fully committed to promoting clean transport. Keeping this objective in mind, the scheme provides that all LGVs purchased in Delhi under the scheme must be electric. For buses, only BS-VI CNG or electric (EV) vehicles will be permitted,” the chief minister said. She added that the scheme will further strengthen the objectives of the Delhi EV Policy-2026.