A 15-member expert committee constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recommended a phased plan to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles across Delhi-NCR by 2040. The proposal aims to reduce vehicular pollution across the wider air-shed and lower dependence on oil imports.

The committee has recommended phasing out BS-IV vehicles by 2030, BS-VI two-wheelers by 2035 and BS-VI four-wheelers by 2040. It has also proposed stopping the registration of new ICE four-wheelers from 2031. Vehicles operating below BS-IV standards should leave Delhi-NCR immediately, in line with the Delhi electric vehicle policy.

CAQM is reviewing the recommendations and has already ordered the phase-out of light goods vehicles and three-wheelers based on the report. The committee, headed by IIT Madras professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, includes representatives from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Automotive Research Association of India and NITI Aayog.

The report said Delhi-NCR had 22.1 mn active and fitness-approved vehicles, of which electric vehicles accounted for 360,000, or 1.6 per cent. Nearly 57 per cent of the fleet was BS-IV or older. BS-I to BS-III vehicles represented around 30 per cent of the fleet but contributed nearly 74 per cent of particulate matter emissions, while BS-VI vehicles made up more than 41 per cent of the fleet and contributed about 7 per cent.

The committee has proposed statutory right-to-charge provisions allowing electric vehicle owners to install 3 kW, 7 kW or 11 kW AC chargers at parking spaces, including basements, subject to safety rules. It has also recommended scrappage incentives, safeguards against transferring polluting vehicles to other cities and a pilot winter restriction under which BS-IV vehicles could be barred between November 1 and January 31.