12% EVs: How Delhi Became India’s Green Capital

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena has declared the national capital as India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) capital, noting that 12% of all registered vehicles in Delhi are electric. She emphasized the city’s commitment to promoting clean and green mobility, stating, “To encourage the adoption of EVs, we have recently renewed our EV policy, which includes exemptions on road tax for electric vehicles.” The development of EV charging infrastructure is also progressing in Delhi to promote EV sales.

This announcement aligns with a report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Yes Bank, which highlights Delhi’s leadership in EV adoption. The report indicates that the top five states, including Delhi, accounted for more than half of EV sales in FY24, with a significant increase in EV adoption over the past four years. It underscores the crucial role states play in India’s EV transition as the country strives to meet its net-zero targets. The report urges a doubling of the current EV penetration rate to meet national goals by 2030 and calls for states to extend their EV policies until 2030. It also emphasizes the need to mandate EV adoption in public transport and fleet operations.

In response to these recommendations, the Delhi government has extended its EV policy until March 31, 2025. Chief Minister Atishi announced that the extension includes the resumption of subsidies and road tax exemptions for electric vehicle purchases made from January 1, 2024. She stated, “Electric vehicles purchased on Jan 1, 2024, and after will get a subsidy and road tax exemption, which were halted by the BJP when Arvind Kejriwal was sent to jail.”

The FICCI-Yes Bank report provides a roadmap to bridge the gap between ambition and execution, offering actionable recommendations to enhance Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) penetration across the country. It highlights the importance of providing a stable and long-term policy framework to attract investors and accelerate EV adoption. With many states’ EV policies nearing expiration, the report stresses the need for renewal with clear and aggressive targets extending until 2030.

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Delhi’s proactive measures in promoting electric vehicles and extending supportive policies reflect its commitment to reducing vehicular pollution and transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions. These initiatives are expected to significantly boost EV sales and enhance the city’s green footprint, setting a precedent for other regions to follow in India’s journey towards sustainable transportation.