Delhi EV policy 2.0 to bring dedicated battery recycling framework

As electric vehicles steadily gain ground in the capital, the Government of Delhi is preparing to introduce a dedicated EV battery recycling framework as part of its upcoming Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) proposed as the nodal agency, Times of India reported.

Officials said the move comes in response to the growing number of electric vehicles on Delhi’s roads, which will eventually generate large volumes of battery waste. A typical electric car battery needs replacement after 12–14 years, making structured systems for safe disposal and material recovery increasingly important.

“The proposal is part of the new EV policy being prepared to support rapid EV adoption while ensuring environmentally safe handling of used batteries,” an official said, adding that the govt wants to develop an ecosystem that includes recycling facilities, collection networks and strict regulatory oversight for handling battery waste.

Delhi’s current EV policy, launched in August 2020, has been extended several times and is set to expire at the end of this month. The government is expected to unveil EV Policy 2.0 during the upcoming budget session of the Delhi Assembly, scheduled to begin in the fourth week of March.

According to officials, the new policy may propose exemptions on road tax and registration fees for electric and strong hybrid cars priced below ₹30 lakh. It is also likely to include incentives for electric two-wheelers, expansion of battery-swapping infrastructure and the creation of special mobility zones to encourage cleaner transport.

Under the proposed recycling framework, the environment department will ensure that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other obligated entities comply with the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms and mandatory reporting requirements.

The draft policy also proposes setting up battery collection centres across Delhi under a public–private partnership (PPP) model, in collaboration with authorised recyclers and other eligible entities. The aim is to facilitate the safe collection and processing of discarded EV batteries.

Alongside this, the government plans to expand the network of public and private EV charging stations to make electric mobility more accessible and convenient for residents.

Officials said the DPCC will issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate the collection, storage, transportation and transfer of waste batteries to authorised recyclers or producer responsibility organisations.

“The focus will be on expanding EV incentives, scaling up charging infrastructure and strengthening the supply chain for servicing, component recovery and battery management,” said the official.