New Delhi: Turning your old petrol or diesel vehicle into an electric one could come with some benefits, with Delhi govt considering incentives for retrofitting older vehicles under its forthcoming EV policy. Policies to promote this initiative will soon be rolled out. An official added that govt would also offering subsidies to bring down the cost of retrofitting for car owners.Retrofitting involves converting existing petrol or diesel vehicles into electric ones by replacing their internal combustion engines and related components with an electric powertrain. A transport department official disclosed that the state govt would, in the coming days, invest more in research and development in the field and engage specialists to study the retrofitting sector in detail.Due to the relatively high costs of retrofitting, govt is exploring subsidy schemes to make the conversion more affordable for vehicle owners, said an official, who noted there are several regulatory challenges besides the cost barrier. “If the price of retrofitting equals the cost of purchasing a new vehicle, no one would opt for retrofitting,” the official pointed out. However, for luxury vehicles, spending around Rs 3 lakh to keep an existing petrol or diesel vehicle roadworthy could be a viable option.The official said that the retrofitting market could grow if demand increased, potentially driving down costs. “If the cost falls, then the future appears promising,” he said. Increased investment in research and development is also necessary to reduce expenses associated with retrofitting. He said that govt could also organise talent hunt competitions to encourage people working in the field.In June 2022, Delhi govt allowed owners of aging petrol and diesel vehicles to convert their vehicles to electric at authorised retrofitting centres. A dedicated portal was also launched to connect vehicle owners with agencies providing retrofitting services. However, public response has been lukewarm.The new EV policy, currently in draft form and scheduled for finalisation after March 31 next year, aims to strengthen the EV ecosystem in Delhi. It has been extended to allow time for public and stakeholder feedback. Key highlights of the upcoming policy would include improving charging infrastructure. Additionally, govt plans to promote electric auto-rickshaws.The policy also targets the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs and aims to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in public transport and goods transportation sectors. With a combination of regulatory support, subsidies, and infrastructure development, Delhi is aiming to accelerate its transition to cleaner and more sustainable mobility solutions, the official said.
