Delhi makes EVs must for ride aggregators, delivery services in new fleets

To combat the perennial air pollution problem in the National Capital, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi announced on January 15 that all ride aggregators and delivery services will have to mandatorily adopt electric vehicles while procuring new fleets. With this, the Delhi government has become the first to notify an Aggregator’s Policy to mandate EV fleets.

As per the new Delhi government mandate, aggregators and delivery services would have to ensure that 10 percent of all new two-wheelers and five percent of all new four-wheelers are electric vehicles in the next three months. They would also have to ensure that 50 percent of all new two-wheelers and 25 percent of all new four-wheelers are electric by March 2023.

The currently approved draft policy has now been put in the public domain inviting suggestions and objections of the general public within a period of 60 days, post which it would be notified for implementation. Meanwhile, the Delhi government will be making a representation to the Commission For Air Quality Management to direct other states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to adopt the policy as well.

Commenting on the initiative, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the policy will provide a necessary push to the aggregator industry to become environment-friendly.