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News18
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Should Old Cars Really Be Off The Road? Supreme Court To Reconsider Delhi's Fuel Ban
Last Updated: The debate reignites as Delhi challenges the 10- and 15-year fuel ban on older vehicles, calling for science over age in pollution control. The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a critical plea today concerning the existing ban on older internal combustion vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR). At the core of the case is a challenge by the Delhi government against the decade-old policy prohibiting diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years. The petition raises a key concern: should the end-of-life policy be determined by vehicle age alone, or should emission levels and technological compliance – particularly Bharat Stage VI standards – be the decisive factors? Where Did This Ban Come From? The rule traces back to a 2015 order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). It said that old diesel and petrol vehicles should not be allowed to run, park, or refuel in public areas. The Supreme Court supported this decision in 2018 due to the severe air pollution in the region. To tighten the rules, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recently told fuel stations to stop supplying petrol and diesel to these 'end-of-life" vehicles from 1st July 2025. As per Hindustan Times, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that age should not be the only factor. 'Some old cars are barely used and pollute less. On the other hand, some new ones have been driven a lot and may pollute more," he argued. What Happens Next? The Supreme Court will now decide whether vehicle bans should be based on how much they pollute rather than how old they are. The ruling could impact lakhs of vehicle owners and set the tone for future environmental policies across India. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 12:35 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
What are End-of-Life Vehicles? Why does SC's hearing on Delhi's blanket ban on overage diesel, petrol vehicles matter?
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led government's plea challenging the blanket ban on overaged vehicles. As per the top court's October 29 directive, diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are illegal in Delhi-NCR. It's time to learn more about End-of-Life Vehicles. 'End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV)' is a term that refers to waste vehicles and is used for overage motorcars in Delhi-NCR as per the state laws. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), ELV refers to vehicles that are no longer legally valid as per state law and are declared unfit by the Automated Fitness Centres. Vehicles whose registrations have been cancelled under Chapter IV of the Motor Vehicles Act or have been declared waste vehicles by a Court order also fall into this category and are not allowed to ply on roads. Following directions of the National Green Tribunal, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revised End-of- Life Vehicles (ELV) guidelines in 2018. These guidelines were amended again in 2023 to align with Motor Vehicles Rules 2021. The NGT said in its November 26, 2014, order, 'All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads and wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the concerned authorities shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law, including seizure of the vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.' The petition moved by Delhi government will reportedly be heard by a three-judge bench. Chief Justice BR Gavai is likely to preside over the hearing. Seeking to recall the top court's October 29, 2018, order upholding the National Green Tribunal's initial directive, the plea urges a comprehensive study focused on scientific methods using emission-based criteria in contrast with the environmental benefits of age-based restrictions. The petition submitted before the Supreme Court on Friday states, 'To tackle pollution in the NCR region, a comprehensive policy is required which gives vehicle fitness based on actual emission levels of individual vehicles as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based solely on age." The government argues that Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) engines emit less pollution compared to BS-IV vehicles that were standard when the original order was passed.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court to review Delhi's old vehicle ban today: What's the policy and why was it paused?
The Supreme Court will review the controversial ban on older petrol and diesel vehicles in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday. The hearing follows a plea by the Delhi government, challenging the blanket ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, arguing the restrictions lack scientific backing. The Delhi government rolled out the 'No fuel for old vehicles' policy on July 1, but it was paused within two days.(AFP) A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran will take up the matter. One of the most pertinent questions to be answered from the hearing is whether Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) compliant vehicles should still face arbitrary end-of-life restrictions based solely on age. The Delhi government's plea seeks a comprehensive study by the Centre and CAQM to assess the actual environmental benefits of age-based restrictions versus emission-based criteria. What's the ban? The current ban traces back to a 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which prohibited diesel vehicles older than 10 years and Petrol vehicles older than 15 years. "The vehicles which are more than 15 years old will not be permitted to be parked in any public area, and they shall be towed away and challenged by the police in accordance with the law. This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception, i.e. two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles, irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the NGT said in its November 26, 2014, order. The Supreme Court upheld this ruling in 2018, citing alarming air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and a need to protect public health. In line with this, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed that fuel stations stop supplying petrol and diesel to these "end-of-life" vehicles from July 1, 2025. Why was the policy paused? The Delhi government, under chief minister Rekha Gupta, rolled out the 'No fuel for old vehicles' policy on July 1, 2025, but it was paused within two days after facing public backlash. The government then cited logistical hurdles and infrastructure gaps, especially in identifying and enforcing the ban effectively. Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said last week that pollution levels of vehicles should be determined based on their usage rather than their age, ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the End-of-Life (EoL) vehicle policy. "There are many vehicles that have aged, but because they haven't been used much, their pollution levels are lower. There are so many new vehicles whose age is less but have been used a lot; so we believe that the parameter to determine pollution levels must be the use of the vehicle instead of its age," Sirsa told news agency ANI.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Delhi government seeks SC review of ELV ban, calls it unfair
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting a reconsideration of the ban on 'End-of-Life Vehicles' (ELVs). It argues that the policy unfairly impacts middle-class vehicle owners, especially in the absence of solid scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This comes in the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court ruling and a subsequent National Green Tribunal order that mandates the phase-out of petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years in the NCR. Delhi government officials argued that these age-based standards overlook advancements in vehicle emissions technology, especially considering the April 2020 introduction of Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) standards. The application filed by the government said, 'The roadworthiness of a vehicle is a technical and scientific issue that must be linked to actual emissions as tested and recorded by mechanisms set out under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, etc., as opposed to a blanket ban on the basis of age, which is unlinked to actual emissions.' The application notes that other nations, such as the European Union, Japan, and the United States of America, do not impose age-based bans and instead adopt a measured and sustainable approach that addresses both pollution and urban decongestion holistically. Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that the government's review application emphasises the need for data-backed assessment, rather than broad limitation, on the actual emissions produced by each vehicle, regardless of its age. The government argued that the ban unfairly impacts owners of well-maintained vehicles, ignoring factors like usage, upkeep, and PUC compliance, the plea stated. The Delhi government's petition highlights that around 2.8 million BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles are registered in the city. It also stated that the current age-based ban could exclude compliant vehicles. It has further prayed that the Court direct the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific study on environmental benefits, the fairness of such a blanket ban, and if such a ban will improve the air quality in NCR.
India Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
There's still hope: Delhi's old vehicle ban to be reviewed by Supreme court
In a major development that could reshape how Delhi balances clean-air mandates with evolving vehicle technology, the Supreme Court will hear a crucial plea on July 28 regarding the absurd ban on older petrol and diesel vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. The hearing comes in light of a petition filed by the Delhi government seeking a review of the court's 2018 order enforcing end-of-life restrictions, particularly on Bharat Stage VI (BS VI)-compliant matter will be heard by a bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, and is expected to explore whether the existing rules, originally designed for older, more so-called polluting vehicles, are still justified in an era of advanced emission norms.A ban rooted in air quality emergencyThe ban traces back to a 2015 order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which prohibited diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from operating in Delhi-NCR. The Supreme Court upheld this directive in 2018, citing public health and environmental protection. Recently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sought to enforce a related measure by halting fuel supply to these 'end-of-life' vehicles from July 1, an order that has now been deferred to November due to public backlash and logistical petition: Science over age In its application, the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government argues that the blanket age-based restriction is 'no longer scientifically or technically justified' in light of significant advancements in vehicle emissions technology, especially with the implementation of BS-VI norms in April 2020. These vehicles emit up to 80% less particulate matter and 70% less nitrogen oxides than BS IV the ban 'disproportionate and impractical,' the government emphasises that many well-maintained BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles with up-to-date Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and limited usage patterns contribute negligibly to overall pollution. The petition stresses that roadworthiness and emissions should be evaluated scientifically, through regular testing mechanisms under the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, rather than being dictated by arbitrary age on the publicThe Delhi government warns that the current ban disproportionately affects middle- and lower-income groups who rely on used vehicles for essential mobility. For many, these vehicles remain roadworthy and compliant with emissions standards, yet face de-registration and denied access to fuel purely due to Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa underlined the government's position, stating, 'We need data-backed policy, not blanket bans. Pollution needs to be tackled, yes, but in a way that is fair and scientifically accurate.'Call for a scientific reviewadvertisementThe Delhi government has urged the Supreme Court to direct either the Centre or the CAQM to conduct a comprehensive scientific study to assess the actual environmental benefits of the age-based ban. The petition also highlights that vehicular emissions are only one of many contributors to Delhi's hazardous air quality, alongside stubble burning, industrial pollution, construction dust, and unfavourable weather lies ahead?If the Supreme Court acknowledges the merits of this review plea, it could pave the way for a landmark shift from age-based scrappage policies to more nuanced, emission-centric regulations. Such a move would not only protect cleaner vehicles from premature "death" but also bring India closer to adopting international best practices in pollution control and sustainable outcome of the July 28 hearing will be closely watched by policymakers, environmentalists, automakers, and millions of vehicle owners across Delhi-NCR, potentially setting a national precedent for the future of vehicle regulation in to Auto Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
