Delhi EV Policy 2026 paves way for hydrogen-powered vehicles

New Delhi: Under the “Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026,” notified by the government on Wednesday, there is also a provision for inducting hydrogen fuel-based vehicles within the next four years.

Earlier last month, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh announced that the Delhi government plans to operate two hydrogen-powered buses in the national capital as part of its push towards clean energy and sustainable public transport. “If cleaner fuel vehicles are introduced during the period of this policy, such as hydrogen fuel, the same may be inducted, allowed to be registered, as per the decision of the Delhi government,” the new EV policy states.

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The policy specifically references the latest report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

According to the report, vehicular emissions account for nearly 23 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution, particularly during the winter months, making them the single largest source of pollution.

The officials said the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with state-owned NTPC Limited, which will provide the hydrogen buses under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

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“Delhi is steadily moving towards clean, future-ready public mobility solutions. Hydrogen fuel technology represents an important step in our journey towards sustainable and environmentally responsible transport systems,” Singh said.

The initiative aims to introduce advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology into Delhi’s public transport ecosystem, complementing the city’s ongoing clean mobility transition and environmentally sustainable transport solutions, he said.

The buses are proposed to operate under the Gross Cost Contract model, with DTC facilitating operational deployment. The officials said the NTPC will bear costs beyond the approved GCC rate of Rs 45 per kilometre.