Revamped EV policy hopes to create 20,000 jobs in Delhi with expanded charging network

New Delhi: The upcoming electric vehicle policy aims to prioritise employment generation by focusing on the establishment of extensive charging infrastructure and battery swapping facilities across the city. At least 20,000 jobs will be created through various support services and related infrastructure development projects, govt officials said.A senior official said Delhi govt planned to create a network of EV charging infrastructureat fixed intervals. Delhi already has over 50 locations equipped with EV charging infrastructure, offering over 4,646 charging points, along with 250 battery swapping stations, to electric vehicle users.”Range anxiety, or the fear that my vehicle will not have enough battery charge to reach its destination or will leave me stranded, is one of the reasons that deters people from switching to an EV,” the official said.“The focus will be on ensuring that we overcome this in the new policy,” he added.The current EV policy, originally introduced in 2020, has received multiple extensions, the latest one for three months after April 15, 2025. The policy offers a range of incentives, including a 25% purchase subsidy (up to Rs 5,500) for e-cycles, Rs 30,000 for e-rickshaws and e-carts, Rs 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (capped at Rs 30,000) for two-wheelers, and Rs 30,000 for e-light commercial vehicles.Officials said that looking ahead to 2027, govt aimed to achieve 95% electric vehicles among all new registrations, leading to a substantial reduction in urban pollution levels. The plan focuses on establishing comprehensive accessibility to charging stations and battery exchange facilities across the region. It envisions complete coverage of recharging infrastructure by 2030 for the seamless adoption of electric mobility.Delhi govt has also withdrawn a recommendation of the draft EV policy, which suggested the elimination of CNG autos and fossil fuel-powered two-wheelers in the coming years. The draft proposal had suggested phasing out CNG-powered three-wheelers and replacing them with electric autos by Aug 2025. Similarly, it also suggested that the petrol, diesel and CNG two-wheeler registration won’t be allowed from Aug 15, 2026. However, transport minister Pankaj Singh had said there was no plan to make it binding for CNG autos to shift to electric or put any restriction on bikes.