EV Policy: Two-wheelers are two-thirds of Delhi vehicles, why this shift matters

📌 Summary:

• The Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, announced Monday, focuses on a phased mandatory transition to electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and light-duty trucks, and emphasises pure EVs over strong hybrid vehicles
• It targets a minimum 30% electrification of Delhi's vehicle fleet by 31 March 2030, when the policy expires; the transport sector is among the largest contributors to Delhi's air pollution
• It cites the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) report estimating vehicular emissions at around 23% of Delhi's winter PM2.5 — the single largest in-city source; two-wheelers are nearly 67% of the vehicle stock, making their electrification critical
• Three-wheelers, commercial cars and N1 goods vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) are priority segments due to high utilisation; a TERI 2021 inventory found two-wheelers the largest source of PM2.5/PM10/SO2/CO, three-wheelers top VOCs, and buses top NOx; across NCR two-wheelers accounted for ~31% of transport PM2.5 and 51% of CO

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment — urban air pollution, clean mobility, EV transition, sustainable transport

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CAQM = Commission for Air Quality Management (in NCR and adjoining areas)
• Target: 30% fleet electrification by 31 March 2030
• N1 category = goods vehicles with gross vehicle weight up to 3.5 tonnes

🔑 Key Term: CAQM — the statutory Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, which coordinates measures to curb air pollution.