Delhi transport department panel to revise draft EV policy
The transport department has formed a nine-member expert committee to review the draft electric vehicle (EV) policy and revise provisions, including phasing out CNG auto-rickshaws and fossil fuel-based two-wheelers, according to officials aware of the matter.
The committee is expected to submit a revised draft by June 20. The current EV policy expired in April but was then extended for three months.
The move comes a month after the Delhi Cabinet on April 15 rejected the above cited provisions, officials aware of the matter said, the reasons for which not known.
The committee, which includes members from IIT Delhi, Niti Ayog and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), among others, will now rework all targets and proposals.
'Our aim is to ready the draft by the end of June so that it can be enforced by early July. The committee members will be looking at all the best practices in the industry and we will be offering the most effective subsidies and incentives for EV uptake,' said transport minister Pankaj Singh.
The committee will be chaired by transport commissioner, while its members will include chairman cum managing director of DTC, special commissioner (transport), joint commissioner of bus transport, K Ramachandra Rao from Transportation Research and Injury Prevention (TRIP) Centre of IIT Delhi, Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha from Niti Aayog, CEO of BSES, CEO of CESL and joint commissioner (transport) of EV Cell.
'The committee shall compile the various inputs which are being obtained from various stakeholders and submit its recommendations to be incorporated in the revised EV policy. The committee shall later ensure that the duly notified revised EV policy is implemented in accordance with the mandate provided by its provisions,' the order issued by the transport department on Thursday for the committee states.
The panel will also study the financials and incentives to be offered to people, including delays caused in subsidy disbursement in the current policy, and determine the number of women beneficiaries and the quantum of subsidy to be given to them.
It will also discuss the environmental factors and waste management in terms of managing battery, and suggest specific solutions and targets for battery disposal. It will also work on infrastructure and transition planning from CNG and fossil fuel-based vehicles, recommend modalities for utilisation and tapping of carbon credits, increasing and optimising charging infrastructure, energy integration and upgradation of grid capacity, enhancing last mile connectivity by specific deployment of e-rickshaws.
The draft policy proposal had suggested 100% EV uptake in Delhi in the next three years, phasing out CNG-powered three-wheelers and replacing them with electric auto rickshaws by August 2025. It had also suggested that petrol, diesel, and CNG two-wheeler registration shall not be allowed after August 15, 2026.
The current EV policy offers a range of incentives, including a 25% purchase subsidy (up to ₹5,500) for e-cycles, ₹30,000 for e-rickshaws and e-carts, ₹5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (capped at ₹30,000) for two-wheelers, and ₹30,000 for e-light commercial vehicles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Petrol's popularity runs out of gas in FY25 as CNG's market share more than triples in 5 years
ET Bureau Live Events Wide Range of Product Offerings (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Car buyers in India are increasingly opting for compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles amid high fuel prices and increased choices in a sluggish share of CNG models in total passenger vehicle sales more than tripled in five years to 19.5% last fiscal—pulling ahead of diesel cars—from 6.3% in share of petrol cars fell sharply to 57.7% from 76.3% during the same period, attesting this pronounced shift, while diesel car sales have remained largely constant at about 17-19% in this period, shows data from industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).And in the ongoing fiscal, for the first time, more than one million CNG cars, sedans and SUVs are expected to be sold—an increase of about 20% over 839,000 units sold in FY25. This while total car sales are expected to inch up by 1-2% in FY26, according to industry estimates.'This is one category which has surprised everyone,' said Vivek Srivatsa, chief commercial officer at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) who also oversees Tata Motors ' PV (internal combustion engine) operations.'It is growing in a robust manner, with availability improving,' according to TPEM's growth is largely driven by individual buyers even as the taxi segment accounts for about one-fifth of CNG car sales, as per industry watchers attribute this to high prices of petrol and diesel fuel, increased network of CNG stations, and a wide range of product offerings from carmakers including Maruti Suzuki , Hyundai Motor, Tata Motors and number of vehicles with CNG variants more than doubled to 25 in FY25 from 11 in FY21, according to industry petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said the number of CNG retail outlets has increased 20 times in the last government is working on increasing the number of CNG dispensing stations across the country and is targeting having 17,500 CNG pumps in place by 2030, up from 7,400 in the government is promoting electric vehicles (EVs) with various incentives to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on imported fossil fuels, car buyers mostly prefer CNG due to lower purchase compared to EVs, and an extensive network of CNG stations. While EVs boast lower running costs, CNG is considerably cheaper than petrol and diesel.A common drawback of CNG vehicles is reduced boot space due to the CNG like Tata Motors and Hyundai have come up with a twin cylinder solution for this. They have replaced the large CNG cylinder with two thin cylinders with equal capacity to offer more boot space.'With the reducing life of diesel as mandated by NGT (National Green Tribunal), which is now gaining more traction in more states beyond Delhi-NCR, more and more customers are beginning to invest in other fuel options and preferences are changing fast,' said Saurabh Vatsa, managing director of Nissan Motor Japanese carmaker last month started offering an alternate fuel option in the form of a government-approved CNG retrofitment kit 'I think it's really important that we continue to focus on what is environmentally friendlier and easier to manage without denting the pocket of the consumer,' Vatsa of the popular CNG models in India include Maruti WagonR, Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch.'Our CNG car sales in India reached over 600,000 units last year, and this year we hope to reach around 700,000 units,' R C Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki, said cars accounted for one in every three cars (34%) that the country's leading carmaker sold in FY25, when its sales touched 1.76 million units.'CNG has emerged as a very good option for consumers at the entry-level, for all vehicles priced less than ₹11 lakh,' said Tarun Garg, chief operating officer (COO) of Hyundai Motor India.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
Tirupati Devoted to Transformation: Embracing CNG for a Sustainable Future Path to Cleaner Energy and Economic Growth
Tirupati is emerging as a beacon of clean energy transformation, embracing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to drive both environmental progress and economic development. With growing public awareness, supportive policies, and infrastructure advancements, CNG is fast becoming the fuel of choice across the temple city. Sharp Rise in CNG Vehicles and Retrofitments A standout indicator of this transformation is the rapid increase in CNG-powered vehicles. As of FY 2024–25, Tirupati has recorded a total of 6,377no CNG vehicles, up from 3854no in the previous year — a 65 % year-on-year growth. This growth is primarily driven by OEM (original equipment manufacturer) CNG vehicles, which rose from 100 units to 6149 units, marking a sharp 5749 increase. Factory-fitted CNG vehicles are in high demand due to their optimized performance, reliability, and manufacturer-backed warranties. In addition to OEMs, the retrofitment market is seeing remarkable traction. Vehicle owners, especially auto drivers and small transport operators, are converting their existing petrol or diesel vehicles to CNG to reduce fuel costs. Though official figures are still consolidating, market reports point to a surge in Retrofitments due to growing accessibility of certified kits and affordable conversion services. CNG proves to be economically attractive, offering up to 45% savings on fuel costs compared to petrol and diesel. These benefits are further supported by lower maintenance costs and longer engine life, making it a practical and sustainable choice for private users and commercial fleet operators alike. Government Push: Lower Taxes, Bigger Impact The Andhra Pradesh government has played a pivotal role in making CNG adoption more accessible. One of the key enablers has been the reduction of VAT on CNG from 24.5% to 5% — a bold fiscal move that significantly slashed pump prices and made CNG far more affordable for the average consumer. This reform has sparked increased demand across segments — from three-wheelers and taxis to family cars and delivery vehicles. It also encouraged more vehicle owners to consider retrofitments, further expanding the green fleet on Tirupati roads. Infrastructure Expansion Fuels Growth Backing this CNG boom is a robust infrastructure framework. The city recently saw the commissioning of a 3.0Km at Tirupati Bye-pass Road (Banglore-Chennai Highway), which is now connected via a 98.0-kilometre steel pipeline network. This network ensures uninterrupted gas supply not only for vehicles but also for households, commercial kitchens, and industrial units. In tandem, new CNG filling stations are being set up across key areas of Tirupati including expansion town limits Mangalam, Renigunta, Tiruchanur and connecting Highways to Tirupati i.e Bangalore -Tirupathi - Chennai highway and Tirupati-Vijayawada highway to enhance accessibility and reduce queuing time. This infrastructure expansion is critical in building consumer confidence and ensuring CNG remains a convenient everyday fuel. The increased availability of fuelling stations is particularly beneficial to retrofit users, who often cite range anxiety as a concern. With reliable access, these users are now joining the clean energy movement in larger numbers. Wider Vision: State-Level Momentum Tirupati's progress is part of a broader state-driven initiative. The Andhra Pradesh government at the start of the year has earmarked ₹10,000 crores to expand natural gas networks into semi-urban and rural areas. This funding will also facilitate the rollout of more CNG stations and piped gas infrastructure. In the coming months, additional CNG stations are set to be launched across other districts and towns, creating a ripple effect of clean energy access. These developments support Andhra Pradesh's larger commitment to sustainable urbanization and low-emission transport ecosystems. A Model for Clean Energy Transition With strategic government support, a sharp increase in vehicle conversions, and expanding infrastructure, Tirupati is fast becoming a model city for India's clean mobility goals. The integrated approach—combining tax reforms, infrastructure, consumer incentives, and environmental responsibility—is paying dividends. As more individuals and businesses make the switch to CNG, Tirupati is proving that clean energy adoption doesn't have to be a compromise—it can be a smarter, cost-effective, and sustainable way forward.
Fibre2Fashion
8 hours ago
- Fibre2Fashion
UK' Dr. Martens aims for FY26 turnaround after tough FY25
Dr. Martens plc has reported preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended March 30, 2025, showing group revenue down 10 per cent to £787.6 million (~$1.071 billion) amid a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. Adjusted profit before tax fell to £34.1 million (~$46.4 million) from £97.2 million (~$132.2 million), while reported profit sank to £8.8 million (~$12 million). Dr Martens has reported a 10 per cent revenue drop to $1.071 billion for FY25 in its preliminary results, with adjusted profit before tax falling to $46.4 million. Despite the decline, it met key goals including DTC growth in the Americas, $34 million in cost savings, and a stronger balance sheet. Its new strategy, Levers For Growth, targets profit recovery in FY26. Despite the decline, the company delivered on all four of its fiscal 2025 (FY25) objectives, including returning the Americas direct-to-consumer channel to growth in H2, refocusing its marketing on products, achieving £25 million (~$34 million) in cost savings, and strengthening its balance sheet ahead of schedule. Net debt fell sharply to £94.1 million (~$127.9 million) excluding leases, the company said in a financial release. "Our single focus in FY25 was to bring stability back to Dr. Martens. We have achieved this by returning our direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, resetting our marketing approach to focus relentlessly on our products, delivering cost savings, and significantly strengthening our balance sheet,' said Ije Nwokorie, chief executive officer. Dr. Martens also unveiled its updated strategy, Levers For Growth, focused on four pillars: engaging more consumers, increasing purchase occasions, refining distribution, and simplifying operations. A final dividend of 1.70p has been proposed, bringing the full-year payout to 2.55p. 'We are today sharing our Levers For Growth, which will increase our opportunities by shifting the business from a channel-first to a consumer-first mindset. We will give more people more reasons to buy more of our products, whether that's our iconic boots and shoes, newer product families such as Zebzag and Buzz, or adjacent categories such as sandals, bags and leather goods. And we will tailor distribution to each market, blending DTC and B2B, optimising brand reach and ensuring a better use of capital,' Ije added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
