Delhi vehicle registrations hit 2026 high ahead of Diwali

Vehicle registrations in Delhi rose 8.67% month-on-month to 91,153 in October, the highest monthly figure recorded so far this year, as buyers stepped up purchases ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. The numbers, however, remained below the 1,14,776 registrations reported in October 2025, according to Abhinav Rajput's Times of India report.

Two-wheelers continued to dominate sales, accounting for 64,201 registrations, or 70.4% of the total. Cars made up nearly 23%, with 21,010 registrations during the month.

Cars, however, recorded a sharper increase than two-wheelers on a month-on-month basis. Registrations of cars climbed 15.7% from 18,161 in September to 21,010 in October, while two-wheeler registrations rose 8.5% from 59,156 to 64,201.


The timing of the festive season has also played a role in shaping vehicle purchases over the years.

In 2023, when Diwali fell in November, registrations jumped 38.7% from 58,183 in October to 80,672 in November. The pattern was different in 2025, when Diwali was celebrated in October. Registrations stood at 1,14,776 that month before falling to 88,929 in November.

In 2024, when the festive season was spread across both months, Delhi recorded 87,860 vehicle registrations in October and 83,364 in November.

Electric vehicles (EVs) also continued to attract buyers. Delhi registered 13,296 EVs in October, a 50.7% increase from 8,825 in the same month last year. The figure was also nearly five times the 2,672 registrations recorded in October 2024.

On a monthly basis, however, EV registrations slipped 1.83% from 13,544 in September. Even so, October was the second consecutive month in which registrations crossed the 13,000 mark.

The segment has seen considerable growth since the beginning of the year, with registrations rising nearly 84% from 7,229 in January.

Previous years also show how EV purchases have varied around the festive season. In 2024, when Diwali fell in October, EV registrations stood at 2,672 that month before easing to 2,433 in November. In 2025, October recorded 8,825 registrations, compared with 7,196 the following month.

A senior Delhi government official said November's registration numbers would be important in gauging whether festive demand continues to drive vehicle purchases. Registrations around Dhanteras, the official said, would offer an early indication of buying trends.

(With TOI inputs)