- Industry
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Delhi transport union opposes mandatory EV adoption under new policy, seeks stakeholder consultation
In a letter addressed to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, the Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch opposed the policy's mandate requiring all newly registered auto-rickshaws to be electric from January 1, 2027.
New Delhi: A transport union has urged the Delhi government to reconsider the mandatory electric vehicle (EV) adoption timelines under the capital's newly announced EV policy, arguing that the city lacks adequate charging infrastructure, financing support and battery-swapping facilities to support a smooth transition.
According to a PTI report, in a letter addressed to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, the Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch opposed the policy's mandate requiring all newly registered auto-rickshaws to be electric from January 1, 2027.
The union said making EVs compulsory without creating the necessary ecosystem would place a significant financial burden on transport operators.
"At present, there are not enough EV charging stations, battery-swapping facilities, easy financial assistance, affordable loans, practical transition plans, or a clear policy for the safe disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries," Shyam Sunder, General Secretary of Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch, said in the letter dated July 9.
"Making EVs mandatory without these basic arrangements would place an unbearable financial burden on lakhs of drivers, small transport businesses and individual vehicle owners," he added.
The transport body said it supports cleaner mobility and modern technology but opposed what it described as the imposition of mandates without adequate preparation.
"Our organisation supports a clean environment and modern technology. However, it is neither fair nor justified to enforce any policy without adequate preparation, sufficient resources, and extensive consultation with stakeholders," Sunder said.
The union has sought an immediate review of the mandatory provisions and called on the government to hold comprehensive consultations with transport associations and other stakeholders before implementing the measures.
Under Delhi's recently announced EV policy, only electric three-wheelers will be eligible for new registrations from January 1, 2027. The policy also mandates that all new two-wheelers registered from April 2028 must be electric, as part of the government's efforts to accelerate EV adoption and curb vehicular emissions in the national capital.
According to a PTI report, in a letter addressed to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, the Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch opposed the policy's mandate requiring all newly registered auto-rickshaws to be electric from January 1, 2027.
The union said making EVs compulsory without creating the necessary ecosystem would place a significant financial burden on transport operators.
"At present, there are not enough EV charging stations, battery-swapping facilities, easy financial assistance, affordable loans, practical transition plans, or a clear policy for the safe disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries," Shyam Sunder, General Secretary of Delhi NCR Transport Ekta Manch, said in the letter dated July 9.
"Making EVs mandatory without these basic arrangements would place an unbearable financial burden on lakhs of drivers, small transport businesses and individual vehicle owners," he added.
The transport body said it supports cleaner mobility and modern technology but opposed what it described as the imposition of mandates without adequate preparation.
"Our organisation supports a clean environment and modern technology. However, it is neither fair nor justified to enforce any policy without adequate preparation, sufficient resources, and extensive consultation with stakeholders," Sunder said.
The union has sought an immediate review of the mandatory provisions and called on the government to hold comprehensive consultations with transport associations and other stakeholders before implementing the measures.
Under Delhi's recently announced EV policy, only electric three-wheelers will be eligible for new registrations from January 1, 2027. The policy also mandates that all new two-wheelers registered from April 2028 must be electric, as part of the government's efforts to accelerate EV adoption and curb vehicular emissions in the national capital.
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