Delhi EV Policy to go fully digital: Transport Minister

The Delhi government will roll out its electric vehicle (EV) policy entirely through a single online portal, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said. The move aims to cut red tape and speed up the adoption of EVs in the capital.

Speaking at a press conference, Gahlot said the portal will handle everything from applications for subsidies to registration of vehicles. No physical forms or in-person visits to government offices will be needed. The system goes live next month.

Delhi's EV policy, launched in 2020, offers purchase incentives of up to Rs 30,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 1.5 lakh for cars, and Rs 30,000 for autos and e-rickshaws. It also waives road tax and registration fees. The policy targets 25% of all new vehicle registrations to be electric by 2024.

So far, the city has registered over 1.5 lakh EVs. Two-wheelers make up the bulk, followed by e-rickshaws and passenger cars. But the process to claim subsidies has been slow and paper-heavy. Many buyers complained of delays and confusion.

The new portal will fix that, Gahlot said. It will let buyers check their eligibility, upload documents, and track the status of their applications in real time. Dealers and manufacturers will also use the same system to register sales and apply for incentives.

"This is a big shift. We are moving from a manual, fragmented system to a fully digital one," Gahlot said. "It will make things simpler for everyone, buyers, sellers, and the government."

The portal will also link to the central government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme. That means buyers can apply for both state and central subsidies in one go.

Delhi's move comes as other states push similar digital reforms. Maharashtra and Gujarat have already launched online portals for their EV policies. But Delhi is the first to make the entire process, from application to disbursal, fully online.

The city also plans to expand its charging network. It currently has around 3,000 public charging points. The target is 18,000 by the end of 2025. The portal will include a map of all charging stations, updated live.

Gahlot said the government will run awareness campaigns to teach people how to use the portal. "We don't want anyone left out because they don't know how to use a computer," he said. Help desks will be set up at all 11 district transport offices.

The policy has faced criticism from some dealers who say the subsidy amounts are too low to drive mass adoption. Others point to the lack of affordable EV models in the market. But Gahlot said the focus is on making the process smooth first. "Once the system works well, we can look at tweaking the numbers," he said.

Delhi remains one of India's most polluted cities. Transport accounts for nearly 30% of its particulate matter emissions. The EV policy is a key part of the city's plan to cut that share. The government hopes the digital push will help it hit the 25% target by next year.

The portal will be accessible on mobile phones and in Hindi and English. The transport department will release the web address next week.