Why are auto firms opposing Delhi''s revised electric vehicle policy?

📌 Summary:

• Delhi''s revised draft EV Policy (issued early April, under stakeholder consultation) is among India''s most ambitious transport-electrification plans, building on the 2020 policy that took Delhi to ~14% EV penetration by 2025 (national average ~8%)
• It proposes banning new ICE three-wheeler registrations from Jan 1, 2027 (this segment is already highly electrified) and — the real game changer — new ICE two-wheeler registrations from April 1, 2028
• Rationale (causal chain): two-wheelers are 67% of Delhi''s vehicle stock; the CAQM estimates vehicular emissions are ~23% of Delhi''s winter air pollution → electrifying this segment is central to clean air
• It also mandates electrification of school buses (30% by 2030), fleet aggregators (cab-hailing, delivery) and government fleets — fewer in number but disproportionately polluting due to high daily use
• Industry objection: SIAM and manufacturers doubt they can scale electric variants in time, argue the market is not ready as EV prices are not yet competitive with ICE two-wheelers, and cite gaps in public and private charging infrastructure and reliability

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — air-pollution control, clean-mobility transition, and the trade-off between industrial policy and environmental regulation.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Delhi reached ~14% EV penetration by 2025 (national average ~8%)
• Proposed bans: ICE three-wheelers from Jan 1, 2027; ICE two-wheelers from April 1, 2028
• CAQM = Commission for Air Quality Management; vehicular emissions ~23% of Delhi winter pollution
• SIAM = Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers

🔑 Key Term: ICE vehicle — an Internal Combustion Engine vehicle running on petrol/diesel, targeted for phase-out in favour of EVs.