Delhi's 2028 e-motorcycle mandate faces
Experts at a clean transport summit say mandates and incentives are insufficient for a swift shift to electric motorcycles in Delhi, citing high upfront
Mandates and financial incentives alone will not be enough to speed up Delhi's planned shift to electric motorcycles, experts warned at a summit this week. The Delhi government plans to register only electric two-wheelers from April 2028.
Speaking at the India Clean Transportation Summit (ICTS) 2026 on Wednesday, experts highlighted persistent barriers. Ajay Mathur, former director general of the International Solar Alliance, identified three major issues slowing adoption: safety and thermal management, the lack of an ecosystem to create demand, and a lack of interoperability for battery swapping.
The Charging Infrastructure Gap
A consistent theme was the inadequacy of charging infrastructure, especially for users without home facilities. Mathur stated that reliable charging availability is a key lever for increasing demand. "Having reliable charging availability can be one of the levers for increasing the two-wheeler demand," he said, according to the Hindustan Times report. He emphasized that only mandates will not help achieve goals, calling for improved infrastructure, particularly for overnight charging.
Subrata Mitra of Ather Energy noted that usage patterns for electric motorcycles differ, with some riders covering 60-100 kilometres daily. He expressed confidence in the industry's engineering capabilities but pointed to charging as a critical lack. Mitra advocated for a "right to charge" framework to simplify permissions.
Financial and Policy Hurdles
The economics of electric two-wheelers present a mixed picture. Paroma Bhat of Uber India noted the economics are already favourable for commercial ride-hailing. However, she highlighted a significant financing disparity. Financing for internal combustion engine (ICE) bikes allows for longer loan tenures, while loans for electric vehicles are shorter, typically up to three years. This increases monthly payments, making the upfront cost prohibitive for many.
Ridhi Palia of ITS UC Davis added that while the total cost of ownership is favourable, the higher initial purchase price and a subsidy cap hinder wider uptake. Delhi's EV Policy 2026, notified on July 1, 2026, provides specific purchase and scrapping incentives.
| Incentive Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Purchase Incentive | ₹5,000 per kWh of battery capacity, capped at ₹30,000 per vehicle |
| Scrapping Incentive | Up to ₹5,000 |
The policy aims to accelerate change in a segment accounting for over 60% of new vehicle registrations in the capital.
Industry Perspectives and Power Perception
Vinayak Bhat of Ultraviolette Automotive addressed a common perception about electric motorcycle performance. He argued that current subsidy structures have pushed manufacturers toward low-power applications, fostering a belief that e-motorcycles lack power. However, he stated that the premium segment is now producing electric two-wheelers that are more powerful than conventional ICE vehicles in the same category.
For gig economy workers, Paroma Bhat stressed that the charging experience must be as convenient as refuelling at a petrol station to minimise downtime concerns. She called for a mix of models, financing, and charging solutions to make the shift feasible for this large user group.
The discussions underscore the complex challenges facing Delhi's pollution-focused transportation policy, moving beyond mandates to the practical realities of cost, infrastructure, and user experience.
