New Delhi: Only electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers with a regenerative braking system (RBS) will be eligible for purchase incentives under Delhi govt’s new electric vehicle policy.This technology-based eligibility criterion, aimed at improving vehicle efficiency, has been included in the subsidy guidelines. A model approval committee will verify whether an EV model complies with the prescribed technical standards before approving it for incentives.A govt official said, “Virtually all electric four-wheelers sold in India already come equipped with regenerative braking system.” RBS captures energy that would otherwise be lost when a vehicle slows down. Instead of dissipating kinetic energy as heat through conventional brakes, the electric motor acts as a generator during deceleration, converting that energy into electricity and feeding it back into the battery. This helps improve driving range, particularly in stop-and-go city traffic, while also reducing wear on brake components.The guidelines also prescribe other minimum technical standards for electric two-wheelers. Vehicles must offer a certified range of at least 80km on a single charge and carry a warranty of three years or 20,000km. The ex-showroom price of an eligible e-two-wheeler cannot exceed Rs 2.25 lakh.Buyers of eligible electric two-wheelers will receive a subsidy of Rs 10,000 per kWh of battery capacity, capped at Rs 30,000, during the first year after the policy notification. The incentive will reduce to Rs 20,000 in the second year and Rs 10,000 in the third year.For electric autos (L5M category), Delhi govt will provide a flat incentive of Rs 50,000 in the first year, Rs 40,000 in the second year and Rs 30,000 in the third year.The new requirement is unlikely to affect established manufacturers but could impact lower-cost models, said the official. Regenerative braking has become a standard feature in premium and mid-range electric scooters, though it remains absent in many entry-level and low-speed models, he pointed out. Similarly, leading manufacturers of electric three-wheelers offer the technology to improve efficiency and range, but the low-cost models usually come without it.The move could particularly affect some Chinese-origin kits and imported platforms that are assembled locally and sold in the budget segment, which often lack some safety parameters as well, sources said.Officials said the move was intended to ensure that public funds support technologically advanced and energy-efficient vehicles, while encouraging manufacturers to adopt higher performance and safety standards.
