Delhi-NCR to phase out CNG autorickshaws and petrol goods vehicles

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced a phased ban on the registration of new CNG-run autorickshaws and petrol or diesel-powered light goods vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region to combat air pollution.

For autorickshaws, new CNG registrations will be prohibited in Delhi starting January 1, 2027. In high vehicle density districts including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat, the ban will take effect in January 2028, with the remaining NCR districts following in January 2029. Moving to a 100% electric auto fleet is estimated to reduce PM2.5 emissions in the region by approximately 5.5 tons annually.

Regarding freight, the rules target N1 category vehicles (under 3,500 kg) and N2 category vehicles (3,500–7,500 kg). In Delhi, new N1 registrations will be restricted to electric vehicles from January 1, 2027, while N2 vehicles must be electric by January 1, 2028. In high vehicle density districts, N1 electric restrictions begin July 1, 2027, and N2 restrictions begin July 1, 2028. Other NCR districts will follow similar phased timelines through 2029, as infrastructure for electric vehicles is currently being developed.