Delhi’s Fuel Ban for Old Vehicles

General Studies Paper-2

Context

Citing “technological” and “cross-border fuelling” concerns, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) deferred the ban on fuel to end-of-life vehicles in Delhi to November 1.

About

• In 2015, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed that All diesel vehicles (heavy or light) which are more than 10 years old will not be permitted on the roads of Delhi NCR.
• Also, Petrol vehicles which are more than 15 years old and diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old shall not be registered in the NCR, Delhi.
• The NGT’s directive was upheld and reinforced by the Supreme Court in 2018. It said that vehicles violating the order should be impounded.
• Most recently, the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025, effective April 1, made scrapping mandatory within 180 days of the expiry of the vehicle’s registration.
• The enforcement relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems installed at fuel stations. These cameras scan number plates and cross-check with the VAHAN database to identify ELVs. If detected, fuel will be denied, and vehicles may be subject to impoundment or scrapping unless exempted.

Issue with Older Vehicles

• Pre-BS-VI (Bharat Stage VI) vehicles are disproportionately responsible for vehicular emissions.
• BS-IV vehicles, for instance, emit 4.5 to 5.5 times more particulate matter than BS-VI vehicles.
• Transport emissions account for 28% of PM2.5, 41% of sulphur dioxide (SO2), and 78% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the NCR.
• Although legal mandates have existed since 2015, official enforcement was delayed due to the absence of necessary technological infrastructure.

Bharat Stage Norms

• Bharat Stage Norms (BS Norms) are emission standards instituted by the Government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engines and spark-ignition engines, including motor vehicles.
• These are European emission standards (Euro norms).
• They apply to all vehicles: 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, cars, trucks, buses, etc.

Challenges in the Implementation of Bharat Stage Norms in India

• Automobile Industry Readiness: Sudden transitions, like from BS-IV to BS-VI (skipping BS-V), forced automobile manufacturers to overhaul engines and emission systems in a short time.
• Fuel Availability: Refineries had to upgrade to produce cleaner fuels (e.g., BS-VI compliant fuel), which required huge investments and coordination across the country.
• Testing Facilities: Lack of adequate testing and certification infrastructure for emission standards compliance, especially for real driving emission (RDE) tests.
• For Consumers: BS-VI vehicles are more expensive, discouraging buyers from adopting newer models.
• Weak Enforcement: Limited enforcement capacity to check on-road compliance, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
• Large Number of Older Vehicles: Older BS-II or BS-III vehicles still ply on roads, emitting significantly more pollutants.
• Resistance to Scrappage: Vehicle owners are reluctant to scrap old vehicles due to sentimental value, poor enforcement of scrappage policy, and lack of economic incentives.
• Low Awareness: Many consumers are unaware of BS norms and their environmental benefits.

Way Ahead

• The CAQM’s directive is a bold enforcement step aiming to remove highly polluting vehicles from roads in a phased manner.
• While legally backed and environmentally justified, its success hinges on technological robustness, cross-state cooperation and public support.
• The solution lies in coordinated planning and action on multiple fronts, involving a wide range of stakeholders.