Recycling, emission tracking: With EV push, Delhi plugs into cleaner future
New Delhi: Delhi’s draft Electric Vehicle Policy 2026, released on Saturday, emphasises building an environmentally sound battery recycling ecosystem by assigning clear responsibilities to the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
The policy, released by the Delhi government, mandates strict compliance with the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, particularly focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
According to the draft, the Environment Department has been tasked with ensuring that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other obligated entities adhere to these rules, including proper reporting and safe handling of used batteries.
The draft stated, “The Environment Department shall assess and periodically quantify the emission reductions achieved through electric vehicle registrations under the Delhi EV Policy 2026.”
The department shall develop a transparent methodology to evaluate impacts on air pollution, enabling evidence-based assessment of the environmental outcomes and the policy’s overall effectiveness, the draft read.
The DPCC, on the other hand, will serve as the implementing and facilitating agency for on-ground battery collection and processing systems.
According to the draft, the committee will develop a framework to establish battery collection centres across Delhi through a public-private partnership model, with an aim to make disposal more accessible and systematic for consumers and businesses alike.
Meanwhile, all new infrastructure projects undertaken by urban local bodies, including MCD and NDMC, will be required to be equipped for electric vehicle charging.
According to the draft policy, departments, autonomous bodies and civic agencies including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment Board will have to ensure that new civil projects are EV-charging-ready, with adequate electrical capacity for installing charging infrastructure.
Separately, the draft policy proposes a wider framework for developing charging and battery swapping infrastructure, with Delhi Transco Limited designated as the nodal agency for planning and coordination.
Scrap old cars, get Rs 1L
Residents of Delhi will get up to Rs 1 lakh as scrapping incentive on purchasing a new electric car in exchange for scrapping their old BS-IV and below vehicles, under the draft EV policy released by the city government.
According to it, the incentive will be applicable if the purchase is made within six months of issuance of the Certificate of Deposit (CoD) from an authorised scrapping facility.
It stated that a scrapping incentive of Rs 1,00,000 will be provided for the purchase of a new electric car, subject to an ex-factory price not exceeding Rs 30 lakh. The benefit will be available for scrapping of Delhi-registered BS-IV and below cars and will be limited to the first 1,00,000 eligible applicants under the policy.
