Autobayng News Team
The industry body said India’s coal-heavy power mix limits the environmental benefits of rapid electrification.“>
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has raised red flags over the Draft Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy’s provision permitting only electric two-wheelers to be newly registered in the NCT of Delhi from April 1, 2028, cautioning that such a ban may not improve the city’s pollution levels as expected.
In its recommendation submission on the draft policy, as reviewed by ETAuto, the industry body has rather urged the government to be aggressive on the removal of pre-BS IV two-wheelers, which are majorly responsible for PM emissions in Delhi.
“Older, pre-BS IV two-wheelers – vehicles over 10-15 years old – account for nearly 99.5 per cent of PM emissions from the segment. The focus of the policy should therefore be on aggressive removal of these older vehicles,” the document read.
SIAM highlights that “modern BS VI two-wheelers (post April 2020) are fitted with electronic port fuel injection and three-way catalytic converters, and emit close to zero Particulate Matter (PM) – which is what determines AQI”. It said that banning ICE two-wheeler vehicle registration will not materially improve Delhi’s air quality.
The industry body has urged the Delhi government to hold further consultations with industry stakeholders and experts before finalising the policy.
SIAM also raised concerns around the readiness of the automotive service ecosystem. It stated that thousands of independent workshops and mechanics may struggle to adapt quickly to EV technology due to the need for new tools, technical know-how and infrastructure investments. A rapid transition, SIAM warned, could lead to business disruptions and negatively affect customer service experiences.
The association said a balanced transition strategy would help protect existing livelihoods while ensuring sustainable mobility growth in the long term.
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