Leading automotive industry bodies have called on the Delhi government to adopt a phased approach to the implementation of its proposed EV Policy 2026, especially the provision that will allow only electric two-wheelers to be registered in the capital from April 1, 2028.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) argued that modern Bharat Stage VI (BS VI) compliant two-wheelers equipped with electronic port fuel injection and three-way catalytic converters produce minimal particulate matter (PM) emissions, which are among the major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution concerns. According to SIAM, restricting registration of new BS VI-compliant two-wheelers may have limited impact on improving air quality.
Instead, the industry body has recommended giving priority to removing older and more polluting vehicles from the roads. SIAM noted that pre-BS IV two-wheelers aged 10 to 15 years are responsible for about 99.5 per cent of particulate matter emissions from this segment. As a result, it has urged policymakers to focus on vehicle scrappage and fleet modernization rather than banning new, cleaner internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
Industry stakeholders have also highlighted concerns regarding consumer affordability. A senior executive of a leading two-wheeler manufacturer pointed out that the high upfront cost of electric vehicles may make a complete transition challenging for many buyers, suggesting that registration of ICE-powered two-wheelers should continue along with EV adoption efforts.
The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has similarly advocated for a gradual and planned change. Saharsh Damani, Chief Executive Officer, FADA, emphasized that policy makers should consider the wider impact of the proposed measures on consumers, dealerships, workshops and the overall automotive ecosystem.
Damani cautioned that a complete ban on registration of new ICE two-wheelers in Delhi could lead to vehicle purchases being shifted to neighboring states rather than significantly accelerating EV adoption within the capital. He emphasized that a graded implementation strategy would be more practical and less disruptive for all stakeholders involved.
SIAM and FADA both said that while increasing EV penetration is an important objective, policy measures should be aligned with market realities and designed to minimize disruptions across the automotive value chain, including dealers, consumers and service networks.