Delhi’s EV demand is rising but buyers have one question: When will we get subsidy?

Delhi's electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a surge in demand, but potential buyers are raising a common question: when will the government's promised subsidy be credited to their accounts? This query comes from 19-year-old Khushi Yadav, a saleswoman at a Chetak showroom in Pitampura, who has been fielding these inquiries daily from customers both over the phone and in person for the past month.

In July, the Delhi government introduced its new Electric Vehicle policy, aiming to boost EV penetration through incentives, mandates, and the development of charging and recycling infrastructure. A key aspect of this policy is the electrification mandate for two-wheelers, effective from April 1, 2028, which will only allow electric two-wheelers to be registered in Delhi.

The Delhi government has not yet provided a response to these concerns. However, sales are rising at some dealerships. For instance, a TVS showroom in West Delhi is unable to meet the demand for electric vehicles, with manager Nitin Singh reporting that the iQube vehicle, the most popular electric two-wheeler in the country, is in high demand and quickly sold out. Singh noted that his store sold around 35 units in July, up from 20 the previous month.

In Southeast Delhi's Lajpat Nagar, the Ather Experience Centre is nearly sold out, with sales increasing dramatically compared to previous months. A salesperson at the store said they sold around 50 units in July, compared to roughly 40 in the previous months. However, some potential customers are waiting to see how the subsidy disbursement process works before making a purchase.

Store manager Tauheed Ahmed at a Chetak showroom explained the long timeline for the subsidy to be credited to customers' accounts. After booking an electric vehicle, it takes two weeks to a month for delivery. Getting the Registration Certificate (RC) also takes around 15-20 days. After that, customers can apply for the subsidy, which takes around 60-90 days. This lengthy process has led some potential buyers to delay their purchases until more clarity is provided on the subsidy process.