Delhi-NCR vehicle owners alert: No new petrol, diesel or CNG LGVs below 3,500 kg from 2027; more models to come under new curb from 2028. Check who will be affected

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced a phased shift towards cleaner light goods vehicles (LGVs) in Delhi-NCR, with new registration restrictions set to come into force from 2027.

Under the new plan, only electric N1 light goods vehicles will be allowed to be registered in Delhi from January 1, 2027. The rule will be extended to Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar from July 1, 2027, according to TOI.

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Delhi electric goods vehicle rule from January 2027

The first phase of the policy will apply to Delhi. From January 1, 2027, new N1 LGVs registered in the capital will have to be electric.

The N1 category covers motor vehicles designed to carry goods with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500 kg.

CAQM said the move is aimed at tackling vehicular pollution, particularly particulate matter emissions from light goods vehicles.

Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida rules from July 2027

The next phase will begin on July 1, 2027, covering the high-vehicle-density NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

This means businesses operating goods vehicles in these areas will need to factor the new electric vehicle registration requirements into future fleet purchases.

The restrictions will subsequently be extended to the remaining NCR districts from January 1, 2028. In these areas, new N1 LGV registrations will be limited to electric and CNG vehicles.

Why CAQM is targeting light goods vehicles

CAQM said the decision was taken because of the significant contribution of vehicles to PM2.5 pollution in the region.

Although N1 LGVs account for only around 1.2% of the active vehicle stock, the commission said they contribute approximately 3.3% of particulate matter emissions from the total active fleet.

The commission therefore approved a phased policy to increase the use of cleaner technologies in the light goods vehicle segment.

N2 goods vehicles also face new registration curbs

CAQM has also announced a separate timeline for N2 light goods vehicles.

N2 vehicles are those with a maximum weight of more than 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg.

According to a TOI report, from January 1, 2028, only electric N2 LGVs will be allowed to be registered in Delhi. The same restriction will apply to Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar from July 1, 2028.

For the remaining districts of NCR, the restriction will take effect from January 1, 2029.

CAQM explains why CNG vehicles are also being restricted

CAQM said CNG produces significantly lower primary particulate emissions than diesel, but it is not being treated as a long-term solution for all vehicle categories.

The commission said CNG vehicles continue to produce substantial nitrogen oxide emissions, which can contribute to the formation of secondary PM2.5.

“A phased approach to restricting the future registration of CNG LGVs and accelerating transition to cleaner technologies is necessary to achieve sustained improvements in air quality in Delhi-NCR,” CAQM said.

New dust-control rules for stone crushers

The CAQM meeting also approved tighter requirements for stone-crushing units operating in NCR.

The commission said dust-control measures prescribed under the CPCB's Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing Units, 2023 will be incorporated into the Consent to Operate conditions for such units.

The measures will include technology-enabled continuous remote monitoring, video surveillance, PM2.5 and PM10 sensors and wheel-washing systems.


Inputs from TOI