Delhi panel recommends cabin air filters, roadside emission scans and EV incentives

The Commission for Air Quality Management’s expert committee submitted an interim report urging mandatory filtration of PM2.5 and VOCs in vehicle cabins across Delhi-NCR, citing the region’s high ambient pollution levels. It recommends that remote-sensing equipment be installed on roads to continuously monitor emissions from private and commercial vehicles, with enforcement actions triggered for those exceeding standards from April 1, 2028.

To accelerate the shift to electric mobility, the panel proposes cash incentives of up to ₹40,000 for retrofitting two- and three-wheelers and tiered purchase subsidies for electric cars, two-wheelers, light goods vehicles and taxis, plus scrappage bonuses. Additional suggestions include expanding bus fleets, integrating metro and shared-mobility services, implementing congestion-pricing zones, and establishing a Right to Charge law to guarantee EV charging infrastructure in residential and commercial parking. The report also advises continuing the reduced 5 % GST on EVs until 2032 and developing domestic remote-sensing technology to lower costs.