Phase out diesel autos in NCR by 2026: air quality panel

The National Capital Region's air quality panel has directed Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana to register only CNG and electric vehicles beginning January 1 and to phase out diesel vehicles by the end of 2026. On Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management issued an order stating that the goal was to have only CNG and e-autos operating in the NCR by January 1, 2027.

It directed the three states to ensure that only CNG and e-autos are registered in the NCR beginning January 1 and to phase out diesel vehicles gradually by the end of 2026. The NCR includes Delhi, 14 Haryana districts, eight Uttar Pradesh districts, and two Rajasthan districts.

In 1998, Delhi introduced a campaign to transfer its fleet of diesel auto rickshaws to CNG vehicles. At the moment, no diesel-powered vehicle is registered in Delhi. In October of last year, the Delhi Transport Department launched a program for the enrollment of 4,261 e-autos.