New Delhi: An expert committee constituted to suggest measures for curbing vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR has recommended the immediate exit of BS-I, II and III vehicles, while proposing that BS-IV vehicles go by 2030, BS-VI two-wheelers by 2035 and BS-VI four-wheelers by 2040. It said that from Jan 1, 2031, no new ICE private four-wheeler vehicle should be allowed to be registered.The committee has also recommended additional restrictions when pollution is high from Nov 1 to Jan 31. It proposed restricting or banning BS-IV vehicles in Delhi-NCR from this winter, beginning with a pilot and expanding it to full scale from the following year. From 2035, restrictions on BS-VI vehicles may be considered if the average air quality index exceeds 200.Last Dec, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) set up the 15-member committee to recommend a multi-pronged roadmap for emission reduction in the vehicular sector. The interim report, which was submitted to CAQM on Aug 18, was shared Wednesday. “We previously ordered phasing out of light goods vehicles and three-wheelers based on it. The report is being considered,” an official said.The report said the active and fitness-approved fleet across Delhi-NCR comprised 2.2 crore vehicles, of which electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for only 3.6 lakh, or 1.6%. “The latest emission factor made available by Automotive Research Association of India is heavily skewed towards older vehicles: BS-I to BS-III vehicles constitute around 30% of the fleet, but account for nearly 74% of particulate matter (PM) emissions, while BS-IV vehicles contribute a further 19%. In contrast, BS-VI vehicles constitute over 41% of the fleet, but contribute only around 7% of PM emissions,” stated the report.For phasing out existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the exit timelines are similar to Delhi EV Policy 2026.The committee has recommended an aggressive transition to zero-tailpipe-emission (ZTE) vehicles, proposing phased exit timelines for ICE vehicles and mandating higher shares of ZTE vehicles in new sales. For private four-wheelers, it recommended a progressive ZTE sales mandate for every original equipment manufacturer selling vehicles in Delhi-NCR — 20% of new sales in 2027, 45% in 2028, 70% in 2029 and 100% in 2030.“The report recommended accelerating the transition to ZTE vehicles. While EVs are currently the available ZTE option, the recommendation is technology-neutral, leaving room for other ZTE technologies, such as hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, as they become viable in the future,” said a committee member.The panel has also recommended that all central, state and city govt offices and public-sector organisations procure, hire or contract only ZTE vehicles from April 1, 2027, wherever technically feasible. It proposed that municipal services transition to ZTE vehicles by April 1, 2030, and all construction vehicles and equipment should transition from April 1, 2028, and earth-moving, material-handling and mining equipment by April 1, 2030. Tractors and agricultural machinery should transition in accordance with the recommendations of Agriculture and Stubble Burning Committee, and not later than April 1, 2030.“Similar principles could be considered across the Indo-Gangetic plain, given the contiguous transboundary nature of air pollution. Vehicles phased out from Delhi-NCR should not simply migrate to other cities in the Indo-Gangetic plain,” said the report. “Mechanisms should be devised to prevent the transfer of high-emitting vehicles from Delhi-NCR to other highly polluted regions.”The committee has also suggested enactment of “right to charge” laws across Delhi-NCR, proposing a statutory right for EV owners to install 3kW, 7kW or 11kW AC chargers at their allocated parking spaces, subject to safety norms. The right should apply equally to homeowners and tenants.The report has recommended additional scrappage incentives for BS-IV and BS-I/II/III vehicles if owners buy a ZTE replacement within six months. BS-IV scrappage incentives could remain available for three years, while those for BS-I, II and III vehicles could be available for one year.
