India's capital Delhi offers residents $1,000 to scrap old cars for EVs to curb air pollution

India's capital New Delhi will offer a cash incentive of over $1,000 to car owners willing to scrap their old vehicle for an EV, according to a new policy finalised by ⁠the government on Monday in a move aimed at reducing high levels of air pollution.

New Delhi is one of the world's most polluted cities with air quality worsening in the winters when dense, stagnant air traps emissions from crops burning in neighbouring states, vehicle exhaust and ⁠construction dust.

Here are some details: * The local government in New Delhi finalises new electric vehicle policy with an outlay of 150 billion rupees ($1.59 billion) over four years to incentivise buyers of electric two-wheelers, cars and small trucks, as well as setting up EV chargers.

* To offer $1,060 as scrapping incentive to those who trade in cars bought before April 1, 2020 for an EV.

* Those buying a battery EV priced at up to 3 million ⁠rupees will be exempt from paying road tax and registration fees, which typically amount to 4%-10% of the car's price.

* Buyers of electric scooters and motorbikes will get a cash incentive of 30,000 rupees in the policy's first year, reducing to 10,000 rupees by year three.

* Delhi government will only register electric two-wheelers from April 1, 2028, forcing buyers to move away from gasoline and other powertrains.

* Will ⁠also incentivise setting up 32,000 EV charging points across Delhi.

* Hybrid vehicles have not been included in the policy which is expected to come into effect from ⁠July 1.

* Policy will provide a big boost to EV players like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra as well as electric two-wheeler makers TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto and Ather ⁠Energy.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that her Cabinet has approved the Delhi EV Policy 2026, which is likely to come into force from July 1 and remain effective till March 31, 2030, to promote Zero Emission Vehicles.

She said the Policy envisages direct government investment of over Rs 7,000 crore over the next four years for upgrading infrastructure, and tax waivers and incentives worth Rs 8,000 crore will be passed on to EV users.

“Overall benefits of approximately Rs15,000 crore, including tax exemptions and EV infrastructure, will accrue to citizens,” she announced, adding that the policy will come into force after formal approval by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Reuters