Delhi’s new EV Policy has brought one of its most practical benefits for vehicle owners – scrappage incentives of up to Rs. 1 lakh for people who replace old, polluting vehicles with electric vehicles.

This is not just a discount scheme. The idea is to remove older vehicles from Delhi’s roads and make cleaner transport easier to choose. For a city that fights air pollution every year, especially in winter, this policy can become an important step if it is implemented properly.

The Delhi Cabinet has approved the new EV policy with a larger plan to promote electric mobility, reduce vehicular pollution and support cleaner public transport. The policy is expected to come into effect from July 1, 2026.

What the scrappage incentive means

The scrappage incentive is a financial benefit for old vehicle owners who give up an older vehicle and move to an electric vehicle.

In simple words, if you own an old petrol or diesel vehicle and decide to scrap it through the approved process, you may become eligible for an incentive when you buy a new EV. The maximum benefit reported under the policy is up to Rs. 1 lakh.

This is different from simply selling your old vehicle in the second-hand market. Scrappage means the vehicle is formally taken off the road and dismantled through an authorized vehicle scrapping facility. The owner usually receives a certificate after the vehicle is scrapped. This certificate can then help claim benefits under the policy, depending on the final rules.

Why Delhi is pushing vehicle scrappage

Older vehicles usually pollute more than newer vehicles. Their engines may not meet modern emission standards, their parts may be worn out, and maintenance may not be enough to keep emissions low.

Delhi already has strict rules around old vehicles. Petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years are not allowed to run in Delhi-NCR, as per earlier court and regulatory directions. Still, many older vehicles remain a problem because they may be parked, shifted, sold informally or used in nearby areas.

A scrappage incentive gives owners a cleaner exit. Instead of holding on to an old vehicle with little resale value, they can scrap it and use the benefit while buying an EV.

How it can help an EV buyer

The biggest issue with EVs is upfront cost. Many buyers know that electric vehicles are cheaper to run, but the purchase price can still feel high.

This is where scrappage support helps. If a buyer gets a scrappage benefit, road tax relief and other EV incentives, the total cost can come down. That can make the switch easier for families, cab users, small business owners and delivery operators.

For example, a person with an old diesel car may be unsure whether to spend on another petrol car or move to an electric car. If the policy gives a meaningful scrappage benefit and removes road tax on eligible EVs, the electric option becomes more attractive.

The benefit can be even more useful for commercial users. A delivery business, local trader or driver who runs many kilometres every day can save more on fuel by moving to electric.

What is the final scrap policy for older vehicles

The final detailed process should be checked from the official Delhi Transport Department notification once it is published. Based on current reports, the broad direction is clear.

Vehicle owners will need to scrap their old vehicle through authorized channels. They should keep the scrappage certificate safely because it may be needed to claim the incentive. The benefit is linked to switching from an older vehicle to an electric vehicle.

The policy is also expected to work alongside other EV benefits such as road tax and registration fee exemptions for eligible EVs. Delhi’s new policy has also announced 100 percent exemption on road tax and registration charges for electric vehicles priced up to Rs. 30 lakh.

This means the total saving may not come from one place. It can come from scrappage support, tax exemption, lower running cost and possible category-based incentives.

How pollution control can improve

Scrapping older vehicles can directly help pollution control because it removes high-emission vehicles from the road.

Old vehicles can release more smoke, nitrogen oxides and fine particles. These pollutants are harmful because they enter the lungs and can worsen asthma, breathing trouble and heart-related risks.

Electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions while running. So, replacing old petrol and diesel vehicles with EVs can reduce street-level pollution, especially in traffic-heavy areas.

This matters in Delhi because people are exposed to vehicle fumes every day. Busy roads, flyovers, markets, school zones, office areas and traffic signals often have high local pollution. Even if EVs do not solve every pollution problem, they can reduce one daily source.

Delhi still needs to control dust, construction pollution, waste burning and industrial emissions. But reducing vehicle emissions is one of the most visible and practical changes the city can make.

Impact on two-wheelers, autos and small transport

The policy is not only about cars. Delhi is also pushing electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

Reports say only electric auto-rickshaws will be registered in Delhi from January 1, 2027. New petrol and CNG two-wheeler registrations are expected to stop from April 1, 2028.

This is important because scooters, bikes and autos are used heavily inside the city. They cover short trips, office commutes, deliveries and last-mile transport. If these categories turn electric, the pollution benefit can be felt more widely.

Electric two-wheelers can also be cheaper to run than petrol scooters. For daily users, fuel savings can become a strong reason to switch.

What owners should check before scrapping

Vehicle owners should not rush without checking the official process.

1. First, check whether your old vehicle qualifies for the benefit. The rules may depend on vehicle category, registration status, age, emission norm and ownership details.
2. Second, use only authorized scrapping centres. Informal scrapping may not give you the certificate needed to claim benefits.
3. Third, compare the total value. Sometimes an old vehicle may still have resale value outside Delhi if it is legally transferable. In other cases, scrapping plus incentive may be better.
4. Fourth, check the EV you plan to buy. Make sure it qualifies under the Delhi EV Policy, especially if you want tax exemption or other benefits.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Delhi’s scrappage incentive of up to Rs. 1 lakh can make the EV shift more practical for owners of older vehicles. The policy tries to solve two problems together – reduce old polluting vehicles and make electric mobility more affordable.

Key takeaways

• Delhi EV Policy offers scrappage incentives of up to Rs. 1 lakh for old vehicles.
• The benefit is linked to replacing older vehicles with electric vehicles.
• EVs up to Rs. 30 lakh are also set to get full road tax and registration fee exemption.
• The policy is expected to start from July 1, 2026.
• Owners should wait for the final official process and use authorized scrapping centres.

Facts Input

Delhi Cabinet has approved the new EV Policy 2026, giving a fresh push to electric mobility in the national capital. The biggest highlight is the 100 percent exemption on road tax and registration charges for electric vehicles priced up to Rs. 30 lakh.

The policy is expected to come into effect from July 1, 2026. It is part of a larger Rs. 15,000 crore plan over four years to make electric vehicles more attractive, improve charging support, and reduce pollution from transport.

For Delhi, this is not only an automobile policy. It is also a public health and clean-air move. The city has struggled with severe pollution for years, especially during winter. While dust, construction, waste burning and outside factors also play a role, vehicle emissions remain one of the most visible and daily sources of pollution.

What Delhi EV Policy 2026 offers

The new Delhi EV Policy 2026 makes electric vehicles cheaper by removing road tax and registration charges for EVs costing up to Rs. 30 lakh ex-showroom.

This can directly lower the on-road price for buyers. For example, if a family is planning to buy an electric car under Rs. 30 lakh, the exemption can reduce the upfront cost. That matters because EVs often look expensive at first, even though running costs are lower over time.

The policy also includes incentives of up to Rs. 50,000 for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers in the first year. This is important because scooters, bikes, autos and delivery vehicles are used heavily inside the city.

Delhi also plans to move strongly toward electric public and shared transport. From January 1, 2027, only electric auto-rickshaws will be registered in Delhi. From April 1, 2028, registration of new petrol and CNG two-wheelers is expected to stop.

Why the Rs. 30 lakh exemption matters

The Rs. 30 lakh limit is practical because it covers many mass-market and premium mass-market EVs. It does not mainly target ultra-luxury electric cars. Instead, it supports buyers who are more likely to use EVs for daily travel.

This can help office-goers, families, cab operators, small business owners and fleet users shift from petrol or diesel to electric.

For a buyer, the benefit is simple. Lower purchase cost, lower running cost and cleaner driving. Charging an EV is generally cheaper than using petrol or diesel, though the final saving depends on electricity rates, driving habits and charging method.

For the city, the benefit is bigger. More EVs mean fewer tailpipe emissions on Delhi roads. Electric vehicles do not release smoke from an exhaust pipe while driving. That can help reduce local pollution in crowded areas, markets, residential colonies and traffic-heavy corridors.

How it can help pollution control

EVs are not a magic cure for Delhi’s pollution, but they can help reduce one major source – vehicular emissions.

Vehicles release pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and other harmful gases. These emissions are worse in traffic jams because engines keep running even when vehicles barely move.

Electric vehicles remove tailpipe emissions from the road. If more two-wheelers, autos, buses and delivery vehicles become electric, Delhi’s daily exposure to traffic fumes can come down.

This is especially useful in areas with high vehicle density such as ITO, Anand Vihar, Dhaula Kuan, Connaught Place, Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and market zones. People walking, cycling, waiting for buses or working near roads face direct exposure to exhaust fumes.

A CAQM-linked discussion on vehicular emissions has noted that past studies estimated transport’s contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution in a wide range, from around 20 percent to 41 percent. The number changes by season, location and method, but the message is clear – transport is a serious part of the problem.

Impact on two-wheelers and autos

Two-wheelers are one of the most important parts of this policy. Delhi has a huge number of scooters and motorcycles, and they are used daily for short trips.

If electric scooters become cheaper and easier to charge, many buyers may shift faster. This can reduce petrol use and daily street-level emissions.

Auto-rickshaws are another key segment. They run for long hours, often in crowded areas. Moving new auto registrations to electric from 2027 can reduce pollution in a visible way. It can also lower operating costs for drivers if charging access is reliable.

However, the transition must be smooth. Drivers will need affordable vehicles, enough charging points, quick service support and financing options. Without these, the policy may look strong on paper but move slowly on the road.

What it means for EV makers

The Delhi EV Policy 2026 can benefit electric vehicle companies, battery firms, charging operators, fleet companies and service providers.

Automakers selling electric cars under Rs. 30 lakh may see better demand. Electric two-wheeler brands may also gain, especially if subsidies and tax waivers make their products more affordable.

Charging companies can benefit because higher EV adoption creates more need for public and private charging points. Housing societies, malls, offices, parking lots and petrol pumps may see more charging installations.

This policy may also push competition among EV brands. Tata Motors, MG Motor, Mahindra, Hyundai, BYD, Ola Electric, Ather, TVS, Bajaj and Hero MotoCorp-linked EV brands are some names that may watch Delhi’s market closely.

Challenges Delhi must solve

1. The first challenge is charging. People will buy EVs only if they feel confident about charging at home, office or public stations.
2. The second challenge is battery safety and service. Buyers need reliable after-sales support, especially for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.
3. The third challenge is electricity source. EVs reduce local pollution, but their full climate benefit improves when more electricity comes from cleaner sources. Still, even with today’s grid, EVs can reduce roadside smoke inside the city.
4. The fourth challenge is affordability for lower-income users. Subsidies help, but financing, battery warranty and resale value will also decide adoption.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Delhi EV Policy 2026 is a big step toward cleaner transport. The 100 percent tax exemption for EVs under Rs. 30 lakh can make electric cars more attractive, while support for two-wheelers and three-wheelers can reduce everyday pollution from busy city roads.

Key takeaways

• Delhi Cabinet approved EV Policy 2026 on June 29, 2026.
• EVs priced up to Rs. 30 lakh will get full road tax and registration fee exemption.
• The policy is expected to start from July 1, 2026.
• Delhi plans Rs. 15,000 crore investment over four years for electric mobility.
• New auto-rickshaw registrations will move to electric from January 1, 2027.
• New petrol and CNG two-wheeler registrations are expected to stop from April 1, 2028.

Facts Input- ET, ET, ToI, ToI