Own a petrol or diesel car? Delhi govt may soon pay you Rs 50,000 to convert it into an EV

Delhi’s next electric vehicle policy could give a fresh reason for petrol and diesel car owners to smile. In a first-of-its-kind proposal, the Delhi government is planning to offer Rs 50,000 to vehicle owners who convert their conventional cars into electric ones, a recent TOI report stated. The move, part of the upcoming EV Policy 2.0, aims to cut pollution by transforming existing vehicles instead of only pushing new EV sales.

The proposal is part of the ‘Delhi EV Policy 2.0 Recommendation’ documents accessed by TOI. The current EV policy has been extended till March 2026, or until the revised policy is notified. The new policy is expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2026 after public consultations.

What is the Rs 50,000 retrofitting incentive?

Under the proposal, the government plans to offer a Rs 50,000 incentive for retrofitting petrol or diesel cars into electric vehicles. The benefit will be limited to the first 1,000 cars.


Retrofitting means converting an existing petrol or diesel vehicle into an electric one by replacing the internal combustion engine and related parts with an electric powertrain. This approach allows vehicle owners to keep their car while switching to cleaner technology.

A transport department official said in the coming days, govt will invest more in research and development and engage specialists to study the retrofitting sector.

Why retrofitting is getting attention

Retrofitting is gaining attention because it tackles pollution without forcing people to buy new vehicles. However, the process is expensive, which has slowed adoption so far. Acknowledging this challenge, the government is exploring subsidy options to make conversions more affordable for vehicle owners.

The policy also links EV adoption with a scrapping incentive for old two-wheelers, three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles. The idea is to push cleaner mobility while gradually removing highly polluting vehicles from Delhi’s roads.

Delhi's EV Policy 2.0: Bigger clean mobility push

While retrofitting is the standout feature, EV Policy 2.0 includes broader plans to speed up Delhi’s shift to electric mobility. The government is looking to revive consumer subsidies, boost local manufacturing and strengthen power infrastructure to support EV growth.

Electric two-wheelers remain a major focus area. The proposed subsidy is Rs 21,000 per vehicle, while women buyers may get Rs 30,000. The total number of vehicles eligible for this benefit could be capped at one lakh, with the adoption target raised sharply from five lakh to 12 lakh electric two-wheelers.

What about electric cars?

For private electric cars, the government plans to reintroduce subsidies with tighter rules. “We are planning that private electric cars priced below Rs 25 lakh should qualify for incentives,” said an official.

The proposal suggests an incentive of Rs 10,000 per kWh, capped at Rs 1 lakh per vehicle, for the first 27,000 private electric cars. To make EV loans easier, the policy also recommends an interest subvention scheme, under which the government would cover 5% of the loan interest for eligible buyers.

What’s next for EV Policy 2.0?

An official said the proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting earlier this week. “There may be some changes in the final policy, but the structure will be in the same direction.”

If approved, the Rs 50,000 retrofitting incentive could turn old petrol and diesel cars into an unexpected part of Delhi’s electric future, without sending them straight to the scrapyard.

(Source: TOI)