No Fuel Policy for Older Vehicles in Delhi: Key Highlights, Rollback & Future Plans
The Delhi government introduced the “No Fuel for Older Vehicles” policy as a landmark initiative to tackle the capital’s severe air pollution crisis. Aiming to curb vehicular emissions, the policy banned fuel stations from refueling End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles—specifically diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol/CNG vehicles over 15 years old. However, due to widespread public backlash, technical issues, and legal challenges, the government rolled back the policy just two days after enforcing it. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Was the Objective of the Policy?
Delhi has long struggled with hazardous air quality, and vehicular emissions contribute over 50% of the city’s pollution, according to a 2024 Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report. The policy aligned with:
- A 2018 Supreme Court order banning diesel vehicles older than 10 years.
- A 2014 NGT directive banning petrol vehicles older than 15 years from public parking.
The government designed the policy to enforce these rulings more strictly by denying fuel to old, polluting vehicles.
Key Policy Details
- Announced Start Date: Initially March 31, 2025, later shifted to July 1, 2025.
- Scope: Applied to all vehicle types including cars, two-wheelers, trucks, and buses, regardless of registration state.
- Coverage: Extended beyond Delhi to parts of NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Sonipat, starting November 2025.
How Was It Enforced?
To identify and stop refueling of EOL vehicles, the Delhi government implemented:
- ANPR Cameras: Installed at 500+ fuel stations, linked with the VAHAN database to detect vehicle age in real time.
- Manual Enforcement: Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and MCD officers stationed personnel at 350 fuel stations to ensure compliance.
- Signage: Fuel station operators displayed clear notices at pumps warning that older vehicles would not receive fuel.
Penalties included fines of ₹10,000 (four-wheelers) and ₹5,000 (two-wheelers), impounding, and scrapping of violators’ vehicles.
Massive Public Impact
- Over 6.2 million vehicles in Delhi were affected, including 4.1 million two-wheelers.
- In the NCR, nearly 46.5 lakh vehicles in Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan were also impacted.
- On Day 1 of enforcement (July 1, 2025), 98 EOL vehicles were caught, and 80 were impounded.
Public & Stakeholder Response
The policy drew strong criticism from the public, who argued that:
- It punished owners of well-maintained vehicles, even those with valid PUC certificates.
- Vehicles like a 16-year-old Mercedes E280 V6 or Range Rover were being targeted unfairly.
- Social media was flooded with posts questioning why road tax is paid for 15 years, but diesel vehicles are banned after 10.
Legal Challenge
The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association challenged the order in the Delhi High Court, arguing:
- Fuel station staff are not legally empowered to enforce government bans.
- The policy exposes dealers to undue liability and operational risks.
Why Was the Policy Rolled Back?
On July 3, 2025, the Delhi government withdrew the policy, citing:
- Public backlash over fairness and implementation.
- Technical issues with ANPR camera accuracy and lack of NCR integration.
- Enforcement challenges, especially with cross-border fuel access.
- Legal complexities stemming from the high court case.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa requested the CAQM to withdraw the policy until the system becomes better integrated and fairer.
Revised Strategy Moving Forward
The Delhi government announced a shift toward a pollution-based model, focusing on actual emissions rather than vehicle age. Future plans include:
- Stricter emissions testing
- Promoting electric vehicles (EVs)
- Voluntary scrappage incentives
- Expanded electric bus fleet (8,000 e-buses by 2026)
- Better awareness campaigns and trial runs
Options for Vehicle Owners (Before & After Rollback)
Before the rollback, EOL vehicle owners were advised to:
- Sell or Transfer: Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to register the vehicle outside Delhi.
- Retrofit with Electric Kits: Through certified agencies.
- Scrap and Claim Incentives: Use government-authorized scrappage centers.
After the rollback, the government lifted refueling restrictions but continues to encourage vehicle owners to scrap their old vehicles voluntarily.
Ongoing Environmental Push
Delhi’s broader anti-pollution initiatives include:
- Replacing all CNG buses with electric ones by December 2025.
- Mandatory anti-smog guns at construction and commercial sites.
- Urban forest creation through plantation drives with universities.
More Information on govt. Website
Final Thoughts
The “No Fuel for Older Vehicles” policy in Delhi was a bold but flawed step towards combating pollution. While well-intentioned, its hasty rollout, lack of public awareness, technical errors, and age-based criteria made it unviable. The rollback reflects a broader realization that sustainable pollution control needs a data-driven, emission-focused, and equitable approach.
As of July 7, 2025, the Delhi government allows older vehicles to refuel in the city. Officials plan to introduce a new, more refined policy soon, potentially focusing on real-time emission levels, regional enforcement, and long-term EV adoption strategies.
