In Focus by The Hindu What was the rationale for the fuel ban on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in Delhi
Jul 7, 2025
Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment, shares her insights on Delhi's recent fuel ban targeting older diesel and petrol vehicles. She discusses the critical need for clean air versus public backlash and operational challenges faced by the government. Roychowdhury advocates for more nuanced policies that consider the socio-economic factors affecting vehicle ownership in India. The conversation also touches on retrofitting options and the urgent need for effective regulations to combat vehicular pollution.
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Origins of Delhi's ELV Fuel Ban
- The ban on diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years in Delhi stems from a 2014-15 NGT directive upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Although implemented on paper since 2015, enforcement actions including denying fuel have only been recent to address high pollution levels.
Why Old Vehicles Pollute More
- Older vehicles emit significantly more pollutants due to outdated emission standards and deterioration over time.
- Continuous vehicle fleet renewal is necessary to reduce pollution from more polluting older vehicle models.
Retrofitting Needs Certification
- Retrofitting older vehicles to reduce emissions is possible but must be model-specific and certified.
- Implement retrofit cautiously with strong quality control to ensure safety and effectiveness.