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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Delhi's refuelling ban: simple policy, but imprecise
On July 1, 2025, Delhi launched a policy: petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years were no longer allowed to refuel at city petrol stations. Over 500 petrol stations were fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to identify non-compliant vehicles in real time. But implementation ran into trouble. Many ANPR systems could not accurately read high-security plates. Fuel station staff lacked training, and there was no integrated blacklist to share vehicle status across agencies. Drivers refuelled in neighbouring towns just outside Delhi's limits, bypassing enforcement. The policy uses vehicle age as a proxy for emissions — simple to apply, but imprecise. Without fitness checks, odometer data, or emissions testing, age alone poorly reflects real-world pollution. Media reports have suggested that up to six million vehicles in Delhi might fall under the ban, but no official, disaggregated data exists. We don't know how many are still on the road, what fuel they use, or how far they travel. To independently assess the policy's potential, we analysed vehicle registration records from the VAHAN portal for 2002 to 2025, covering all of Delhi's Regional Transport Offices. We cross-referenced this with resale platform listings to estimate how many older vehicles are still active. Travel survey data helped model typical daily distances by vehicle age. For pollution estimates, we used emission factors for particulate matter (PM2.5) from the Automotive Research Association of India, adjusted for Bharat Stage norms. Our findings show that only 8% of Delhi's current vehicle fleet (about 7.5 lakh vehicles) are covered by the fuel restriction (Chart 1). This includes around 1.7 lakh two-wheelers, 3.5 lakh petrol cars, 1.8 lakh diesel cars, and 34,000 diesel commercial vehicles. Total PM2.5 emissions from Delhi's transport sector in 2025 — including both tailpipe and non-tailpipe sources — are estimated at 3,200 tonnes. If fully enforced, the policy could reduce this by approximately 8% of total in boundary and transboundary vehicle movement emissions (Chart 2). The projected impact is meaningful, but depends on sustained implementation. For a more sustainable solution, Delhi can learn from how other cities have tackled this challenge. Beijing paired diesel truck restrictions with scrappage incentives and retrofitting options. Tokyo enforced strict diesel standards while subsidising upgrades. Paris phased in low emission zones alongside public transit improvements and financial support for low-income users. Delhi can also develop localised solutions. Vehicle exchange fairs, scrappage incentives, and legal interstate resale options could help owners retire older vehicles without hardship. Replacing the one-time lifetime road tax with annual conditional renewals would better align financial incentives with clean-air goals. Public engagement is critical. A phased 12–18 month rollout with awareness campaigns would reduce confusion and build trust. A grievance portal could let citizens check compliance, contest errors, or seek exemptions. Delhi should invest in scaling up environmentally sound scrappage centres and piloting retrofits like EV or hybrid kits. For small businesses, access to credit or vehicle replacement grants will be essential to avoid hardship. Clean air doesn't stop at city borders. Vehicles move across Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad. A joint enforcement task force and emissions tracking platform would help standardise efforts across the region. Ajay S. Nagpure is urban systems scientist at the Urban Nexus Lab at Princeton University.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
ARAI to host 19th edition of SIAT in January 2026; focus on safe and sustainable mobility
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, is set to host the 19th edition of its flagship biennial event, the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT), from January 28-30, 2026 at PIECC, Pune . The event will revolve around the theme "Innovative Pathways for Safe and Sustainable Mobility ." Launched in 1985, SIAT has grown into a premier automotive technology platform, bringing together global thought leaders, researchers, and industry professionals. Over the years, it has witnessed participation from eminent personalities, including the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and industry stalwarts like Dr Pawan Goenka. The 2024 edition saw more than 2,000 delegates, 211 technical presentations from 10 countries, and over 7,000 visitors to its technology exhibition, which featured 330 stalls from across India, the US, UK, Japan, Germany, and other nations. Dedicated pavilions for hydrogen technologies , ADAS demonstrations, and startups under Aatmanirbhar Bharat highlighted India's innovation potential. SIAT 2026 SIAT 2026 is already seeing robust academic interest, with over 2,000 research abstracts submitted. Technical sessions will span emerging domains such as e-mobility, hydrogen fuel cells, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), noise and vibration control (NVH), simulation and modelling, emission technologies, and alternative fuels. A concurrent SIAT Expo 2026 will showcase global innovations, offering an ideal platform for automotive players to exhibit their latest products and services. The event, supported by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, continues to play a key role in shaping policies for India's evolving mobility ecosystem.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Just bought a new car? Unlock these 8 smart car insurance tricks
With the festive season leading to a spike in new car sales, buyers today are dealing with not just showroom and specifications but also the car insurance landscape that often gets little or no focus. The showroom extravaganza may seem like the star of the show, but it is the insurance policy that can really make or break your savings and ensure you have stress-free years ahead of you. Car insurance is not only a smart move, but it becomes the one thing that matters most as premiums rise and roads get filled with more traffic. So here are some handy car insurance hacks that you must not miss if you want to save your hard-earned money and avoid some common mistakes. Compare Before You Commit One of the most common mistakes buyers make is blindly choosing the insurance policy offered by the car dealer. While convenient, this bundled policy often comes at a higher cost and with limited customisation. Experts recommend using online insurance aggregator platforms to compare premiums, inclusions, and claim settlement ratios before making a decision. Insurers often provide discounts or enhanced features on direct purchases made through their websites or verified brokers. A quick online comparison can result in savings of up to 20% on premiums for the same coverage. Choose the Right Add-Ons A basic comprehensive policy might not be enough, whether you are buying a car or bike insurance, especially in today's unpredictable road conditions. However, overloading your policy with unnecessary add-ons can inflate your premium. The trick is to choose smart. Add-ons like Zero Depreciation Cover, Engine Protection, and Return to Invoice are particularly valuable for new vehicles. Zero Depreciation ensures you get the full value of replaced parts without depreciation deductions, while Engine Protection is vital during monsoons or for cars in flood-prone areas. Return to Invoice bridges the gap between your car's insured value and its invoice price in the event of total loss or theft—ideal for high-value purchases. Opt for a Higher Voluntary Deductible Insurance professionals advise confident drivers to consider choosing a higher voluntary deductible, the portion of a claim the insured agrees to pay themselves. Choosing a higher deductible helps you save on car insurance premiums. Install Anti-Theft Devices Insurance companies favour security. Fitting your car with anti-theft devices approved by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) not only protects your vehicle but also earns you a premium discount of up to 5%. Devices such as GPS trackers, steering locks, gear locks, and electronic immobilisers not only deter theft but also improve your chances during claim settlements in the unfortunate event of a loss. Some policies even offer preferential claim processing for insured vehicles with such fittings. Take Advantage of the No Claim Bonus (NCB) Transferring your No Claim Bonus (NCB) from an old policy to your new one remains one of the simplest ways to save, yet it continues to be widely ignored. 'I've met dozens of customers who didn't know they could retain their NCB,' said Ravi Mehta, who manages a multi-brand car showroom. 'It's heart-breaking when someone with five years of no-claim history ends up paying a full premium simply due to ignorance.' Avoid Small Claims Though it may seem logical to claim insurance for every scratch and dent, experts advise against it. 'One dent, one claim—and you lose the bonus you've built over years,' explained Mehta. 'Paying for minor damages out of pocket keeps your record clean and helps you save more over time.' Review the Insured Declared Value The Insured Declared Value, or IDV, is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if your car is stolen or completely damaged beyond repair. While some policies offer the option to reduce IDV to lower the premium, doing so means compromising your payout in case of a total loss. Go Paperless and Pay Smart Several insurers now offer instant policy issuance through paperless KYC and digital payment methods. Opting for annual payments instead of EMIs or short-term coverage often comes with additional discounts. Also, using credit cards with reward schemes or cashback offers can further enhance your savings on the purchase of car insurance. Final Thoughts With increasing digitisation, buying car insurance has never been easier or more customisable. Yet, it remains one of the most under-optimised areas of vehicle ownership. By understanding your policy, comparing options, and applying a few smart strategies, you can enjoy robust protection without burning a hole in your wallet.
