Delhi EV Policy 2026 Guide: How to Stack Subsidies to Save Up to ₹45,000 on an Electric Scooterc
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Delhi just rewrote the rules on how much you can save while switching to an electric scooter. Between the newly gazetted Delhi Electric Vehicles Policy, 2026, an old-vehicle scrapping bonus, and a still-active central subsidy from the Government of India, a smart buyer stacking every eligible benefit could shave up to ₹45,000 off a 3 kWh electric scooter — before you even negotiate with the dealer.
But “up to ₹45,000” comes with conditions, deadlines, and one scheme that’s about to expire. This guide breaks down exactly how the stacking works, who qualifies, and the dates you cannot afford to miss.
How Can I Maximize My Electric Scooter Subsidy in Delhi to Save ₹45,000?
Here’s the maximum stack, broken down layer by layer, assuming you’re buying a 3 kWh electric scooter in Year 1 of the policy and scrapping an old two-wheeler:
| Incentive Layer | Amount | Source |
| Delhi State Purchase Subsidy (Year 1) | ₹30,000 | Delhi EV Policy 2026, Clause 4.2.2 (₹10,000/kWh × 3 kWh, capped at ₹30,000) |
| Old Vehicle Scrapping Bonus | ₹10,000 | Delhi EV Policy 2026, Clause 4.6.1 |
| Central PM E-DRIVE Subsidy | Up to ₹5,000 | PM E-DRIVE Scheme (Ministry of Heavy Industries), subject to separate eligibility |
| Maximum Combined Savings | ₹45,000 | — |
Subsidy calculation : Let’s understand the Math, Step by Step
- Start with the state subsidy. Delhi’s policy pays ₹10,000 per kWh of battery capacity, capped at ₹30,000, for any electric two-wheeler registered in Year 1 of the policy (from the notification date) — provided its ex-showroom price doesn’t exceed ₹2.25 lakh. A 3 kWh scooter hits the ₹30,000 cap exactly.
- Add the scrapping bonus. If you’re trading in an old Delhi-registered BS-IV or below two-wheeler, you get an additional flat ₹10,000, provided you purchase the new EV within six months of your scrapping facility issuing the Certificate of Deposit (CoD).
- Layer on the central subsidy, if you qualify. Separately from Delhi’s own policy, the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme currently pays out ₹2,500 per kWh, capped at ₹5,000 per vehicle, for eligible e-2Ws. This is a distinct central scheme — Delhi’s policy doesn’t create this benefit, but nothing stops you from claiming both if your scooter qualifies for each independently.
Add it up — ₹30,000 + ₹10,000 + ₹5,000 — and you land at ₹45,000 in total savings on a single scooter purchase.
Important Reality Check on the ₹5,000 Central Layer: PM E-DRIVE’s two-wheeler price ceiling is ₹1.5 lakh ex-factory — lower than Delhi’s ₹2.25 lakh ex-showroom cap. If your scooter is priced above ₹1.5 lakh, you may still get Delhi’s state subsidy, but you’ll likely miss out on the central ₹5,000 entirely. Also note: PM E-DRIVE’s demand incentive for two-wheelers is currently scheduled to close on 31 July 2026 and is fund-limited, meaning it could end earlier if the allocated budget is exhausted. Don’t assume this layer will still be available later in the year — check current status before you buy.
The “₹26,600 per kWh” Rumor Making the Rounds — Here’s What the Gazette Actually Says
If you’ve seen a figure of “₹26,600 per kWh” for Year 2 circulating on social media, forums, or aggregator sites, treat it with caution. We went back to the official Delhi Gazette notification directly — both the Hindi and English sections of Clause 4.2.2 consistently state ₹6,600 per kWh, capped at a maximum of ₹20,000. We could not locate a ₹26,600 figure anywhere in the gazetted text itself, in either language version, so this appears to be a transcription error somewhere downstream rather than something present in the official notification.
Either way, the number that actually matters for your budgeting is the hard cap of ₹20,000 for Year 2 — regardless of what per-kWh rate you see quoted anywhere, the maximum payout per vehicle cannot exceed that ceiling. Always plan around the capped amount, not an unverified per-kWh figure.
Which Electric Scooters Qualify for the Delhi EV Policy 2026 Incentives?
Not every scooter on a showroom floor makes the cut. The policy draws a firm line at ex-showroom price.
- Your electric scooter’s ex-showroom price must not exceed ₹2.25 lakh to qualify for any purchase incentive under Delhi’s policy.
- Cross that line — even by a few thousand rupees on a premium or performance variant — and the vehicle loses eligibility entirely. There’s no partial subsidy for exceeding the cap.
- The model must also be on the Model Approval Committee’s empanelled list, constituted under the Transport Department. Only committee-approved models qualify, so it’s worth confirming your shortlisted scooter is on that list before assuming the subsidy applies.
- This same eligibility logic explains why high-performance electric scooters marketed as “premium” often fall outside the incentive net — manufacturers pricing above ₹2.25 lakh are effectively opting their buyers out of state support.
Is Road Tax and Registration Fee Free for EVs in Delhi?
Yes — and this is where the on-road price drop becomes visible immediately, even before you touch a subsidy application.
- Every electric vehicle purchased and registered in NCT of Delhi during the policy period gets a 100% exemption from road tax for the entire life of the vehicle.
- You also get a full exemption from the registration fee at the time of registration.
- Unlike the purchase subsidy, this exemption isn’t something you apply for separately after the fact — it’s built into the on-road price calculation at the point of registration, so you see the saving on day one, not 60 days later.
For a scooter that would otherwise carry road tax and registration charges running into a few thousand rupees, this exemption compounds nicely on top of the direct cash incentives above.
How Does the Old Vehicle Scrapping Bonus Work in Delhi?
If you’re currently riding a petrol scooter and it’s due for retirement anyway, this is where the real extra value sits.
- Take your old two-wheeler to an authorised scrapping facility. It must be Delhi-registered and rated BS-IV emission standard or below to qualify.
- Receive a Certificate of Deposit (CoD) from that facility once the vehicle is scrapped. This document is your proof of scrappage and the trigger for your six-month countdown.
- Purchase your new electric scooter within six months of the CoD’s issue date. Miss this window, and you lose eligibility for the ₹10,000 scrapping bonus entirely — there’s no extension built into the policy text.
- Claim the bonus via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Like the purchase incentive, the scrapping bonus is paid directly to the individual, proprietary firm, agency, or company that owned the scrapped vehicle — and only that owner is eligible to claim it.
What Is the Deadline to Buy an Electric Scooter After Scrapping an Old Bike?
Six months from the date your Certificate of Deposit (CoD) is issued. This is a hard deadline written into the policy — there’s no grace period mentioned anywhere in the gazetted text. If you’re planning to scrap an old scooter specifically to claim this bonus, treat the CoD issue date as the starting gun on a strict six-month shopping window, not a soft suggestion.
What Are the Strict Rules and Timelines to Keep in Mind Before Claiming the EV Subsidy?
Delhi’s policy is generous, but it’s also unforgiving on paperwork timelines. Miss a date, and you don’t get a second chance.
How Many Days Do I Have to File My Delhi EV Subsidy Application Online?
30 days from the date your Registration Certificate (RC) is generated. The moment your new electric scooter is registered and the RC is issued, the clock starts. The policy doesn’t specify any grace period for late applications, so the safest approach is to file your subsidy claim online immediately after registration — don’t wait for your dealer to remind you, and don’t assume it will be processed automatically. Once submitted, the government is required to disburse the eligible subsidy within 60 days, subject to verification.
Can I Sell or Transfer My Subsidized Electric Scooter Outside Delhi?
Not for three years. Any vehicle that avails a purchase incentive under this policy is barred from receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transfer or re-registration to another State or Union Territory for a period of three years from the date of the policy’s notification. This restriction exists specifically to prevent buyers from claiming Delhi’s subsidy and then immediately shifting the vehicle — and the benefit — out of the NCT. If you anticipate relocating within three years of your purchase, factor this lock-in into your decision before you buy.
Quick Summary Checklist for Delhi Electric Scooter Buyers
| Action Item | Legal Deadline / Criteria | Benefit |
| Buy a scooter priced ≤ ₹2.25 lakh ex-showroom | Before purchase | Eligibility for state purchase subsidy |
| Confirm model is on the empanelled list | Before purchase | Ensures subsidy claim won’t be rejected |
| Register the scooter in Delhi | At purchase | Basic eligibility for all incentives |
| Scrap old BS-IV or below two-wheeler | Registered in Delhi | ₹10,000 scrapping bonus |
| Buy new EV using the CoD | Within 6 months of CoD issue | Retains scrapping bonus eligibility |
| File subsidy application online | Within 30 days of RC generation | Retains purchase subsidy eligibility |
| Check PM E-DRIVE eligibility separately | Scooter ≤ ₹1.5 lakh ex-factory, before 31 July 2026 (subject to fund availability) | Additional ₹5,000 central subsidy |
| Avoid interstate transfer | For 3 years from notification date | Avoids forfeiting subsidy / NOC issues |
| Enjoy road tax + registration exemption | Automatic at registration | 100% lifetime road tax waiver + full registration fee waiver |
Final Word
Delhi’s EV Policy 2026 rewards buyers who plan ahead — scrap early, buy early, and apply fast. Stack the right layers correctly, and a mid-range electric scooter can genuinely get up to ₹45,000 cheaper than its sticker price suggests. Have questions about your specific scooter model, or found a better deal worth sharing? Drop it in the comments below — we’re tracking this policy closely and will keep this guide updated as operational guidelines and any corrigenda are released.
Additional: Read the complete decode of the Delhi EV Policy 2026–2030 to know the subsidies available across all other vehicle segments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Buying an Electric Scooter in Delhi
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What is the maximum subsidy I can get on an electric scooter in Delhi?
Under Delhi’s own policy, the maximum purchase subsidy is ₹30,000 (Year 1, for a battery of 3 kWh or more), plus a ₹10,000 scrapping bonus if you trade in an old Delhi-registered BS-IV or below two-wheeler — a combined ₹40,000 from state sources alone. If your scooter also separately qualifies for the central PM E-DRIVE subsidy (currently up to ₹5,000, subject to its own ₹1.5 lakh price cap and timeline), your total combined savings can reach up to ₹45,000.
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Can I get a subsidy on an electric scooter that costs more than ₹2.25 lakh?
No. Delhi’s policy sets a firm ex-showroom price ceiling of ₹2.25 lakh for two-wheeler purchase incentives. Any scooter priced above this threshold is entirely ineligible for the state subsidy — there’s no partial or reduced payout for exceeding the cap.
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Is it true that the Delhi EV Policy offers ₹26,600 per kWh in Year 2?
No. This figure appears to be a transcription error circulating online — it does not appear in the official Delhi Gazette notification. Both the Hindi and English sections of the gazette consistently state ₹6,600 per kWh for Year 2. Regardless of which per-kWh figure you come across, the policy hard-locks the maximum Year 2 payout at a strict ceiling of ₹20,000 per vehicle, so that capped amount is what you should budget around.
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What happens if I fail to apply for the subsidy within 30 days of registration?
The policy sets a firm 30-day window from RC generation to submit your subsidy application, with no stated grace period. Missing this deadline puts your eligibility for the purchase incentive at risk, so treat it as a hard cutoff rather than a flexible guideline.
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Can I move my Delhi-registered subsidized electric scooter to another state next year?
No. Vehicles that avail a purchase incentive under this policy cannot obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for interstate transfer or re-registration for three years from the date the policy was notified. If you’re planning a move within that window, you’ll need to factor in this restriction before finalising your purchase.
