VECV, Force Motors and Pinnacle Mobility join Government scheme for replacement of old trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR

📌 Summary:

• An MoU under the Government scheme for replacement of old trucks and buses in Delhi-NCR was signed between MoRTH and three OEMs — Eicher Trucks and Buses (VECV business unit), Force Motors and Pinnacle Mobility Solutions
• Under the scheme, OEMs provide an 8% discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible trucks and buses
• For electric vehicles, the discount is capped at the discount applicable to an equivalent ICE vehicle of the same Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) category
• The Central Government additionally provides 5% interest subvention and fixed monthly fuel vouchers for five years
• Participating State Governments offer up to 100% motor vehicle tax concession for ten years and waiver of registration fees
• Earlier, six other OEMs had already joined the scheme, aimed at scrapping old polluting vehicles and curbing vehicular pollution in Delhi-NCR

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (Environment) — vehicular pollution control, vehicle scrappage policy, and incentivising cleaner fleets (including EVs) in the Delhi-NCR airshed.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH)
• OEM discount: 8% on ex-showroom price; Central interest subvention: 5%
• State concessions: up to 100% motor vehicle tax waiver for 10 years
• Nine OEMs now participating (six earlier + three new)

🔑 Key Term: Vehicle scrappage — the structured retirement of old, polluting and unfit vehicles, paired with incentives for buying new (cleaner/electric) vehicles to reduce emissions.