Electrification of public transport remains a key focus area for the Delhi government, which plans to accelerate procurement of only electric buses for intra-city travel as per the Delhi EV Policy draft 2.0.
02 May 2025 | 1409 Views | By Yukta Mudgal
The Delhi government is planning to transition all public transport electric by 2026 end, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday during the launch of the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVi) initiative.
The DEVi project aims to enhance last-mile connectivity between metro stations and major bus terminals using a ...
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The Delhi government is planning to transition all public transport electric by 2026 end, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday during the launch of the Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVi) initiative.
The DEVi project aims to enhance last-mile connectivity between metro stations and major bus terminals using a fleet of modern electric buses. In its first phase, 400 buses have been deployed across East and West Delhi, covering localities such as Ghazipur, Vinod Nagar East, and Nangloi.
Each DEVi bus accommodates 23 seated passengers with six seats reserved for women and space for 13 standing passengers. Fares range from Rs 10 to Rs 25, while women can travel free of charge.
“Today is a moment of great joy. DEVi has brought 400 buses onto the streets of Delhi today,” Gupta said. By the end of this year, the Delhi government is likely to launch another 2,080 buses.
Gupta emphasized the urgent need to address pollution in the capital, attributing 45% of it to vehicular emissions. “By next year, we will shift Delhi’s public transport to 100% electric mode so that we can reduce the problem of pollution,” she said.
Recognizing that public transport alone cannot solve Delhi’s pollution crisis, Gupta announced that the government will soon roll out a Delhi electric vehicle (EV) policy for both public and private vehicles. “We will also support private vehicle owners through rebates and other incentives, encouraging more EVs on Delhi’s roads,” she said.
To back this shift, the government is likely to spur investment in infrastructure including new bus depots, charging stations, and maintenance hubs.
“Delhi should now write a story not of survival, but of progress,” Gupta declared. “To fulfill the dream of a developed Delhi, a strong Delhi, a prosperous Delhi, the triple-engine government is going to work towards it. With proper timing and planning, we will reduce both Delhi’s pollution and its traffic congestion.”
Electrification of public transport remains a key focus area for the Delhi government, which plans to accelerate procurement of only electric buses for intra-city travel as per the Delhi EV Policy draft 2.0. The government aims to achieve 80% electrification of Delhi’s bus fleet by 2025.
Delhi’s EV market has seen significant growth, with 82,081 EVs registered in 2024, a 30% increase from 2022. The draft EV 2.0 Policy includes several incentives to encourage adoption, such as ₹10,000 per kilowatt-hour (up to ₹30,000) for electric two-wheelers. Three-wheeler owners also stand to gain, with incentives of up to ₹45,000 for electric auto-rickshaws and goods carriers. Owners of four-wheeled goods vehicles can avail incentives of up to ₹75,000, while electric school buses will be eligible for incentives as high as ₹15 lakh for the first 200 vehicles. In addition, the government is committed to developing a robust charging ecosystem, with plans to establish 13,700 public charging stations across the city by 2030.