‘When will we get subsidy?’: In Delhi, EV two-wheeler buyers want answers

In July, the Delhi government launched its ambitious new Electric Vehicle policy, seeking to increase penetration of electric vehicles through incentives, mandates, and creation of charging and recycling infrastructure. One of the most far reaching provisions of the policy was the electrification mandate for two wheelers — only electric two-wheelers would be allowed to be registered in Delhi from April 1, 2028.

A month on, The Indian Express visited two-wheeler showrooms and found that queries and customers are pouring in, with sales rising at some dealerships. But the enthusiasm is tempered by uncertainty over when buyers will actually receive the subsidy promised under the new policy.

Graphics generated using ChatGPT

As many as 6,712 electric two-wheelers were sold in July this year, compared to 3,528 in July last year, according to central government data retrieved from the Changing Gears dashboard of think tank Envirocatalysts. It is also an increase from 5,774 purchased in June this year.

A comment from the Delhi government is awaited.

Demand rising, but buyers await subsidy

At a TVS showroom in West Delhi, manager Nitin Singh said the store is not able to fulfil the demand for electric vehicles. The automaker’s iQube vehicle, which is the most sold electric two-wheeler in the country, is not available for immediate purchase.

“Poore ke poore truck aate hai scooter ke aur ekdum se dukaan se nikal jaate hai advance booking mein (Entire trucks of scooters come and immediately get pushed out as they have been booked in advance),” Singh said, claiming that his store sold around 35 units in July compared to 20 the previous month.

“People have confidence in these vehicles now. For those who drive long distances, these scooters save a lot of money. They are also doubtful of petrol vehicles because of E20 fuel,” Singh added.

Across town, in Southeast Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, the Ather Experience Centre is completely empty — all vehicles have been sold out.

“We usually sell all our monthly stock each month. This time, we got through it even faster and are not waiting for August’s stock,” said a salesman who did not want to be named.

-At the Ather Experience Centre in Southeast Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar, all vehicles have been sold out. (Express Photo by Devansh Mittal)

Store manager Tauheed Ahmed estimated that the store pushed out around 50 units in July, compared to roughly 40 in the previous months.

“Last time, there were some cases of people not getting the subsidy. That is why some potential customers are waiting to see what happens with disbursal this time,” he said.

Ahmed detailed the long timeline for the subsidy to actually reflect in customers’ accounts: “Once you book a unit from our store, it will take anywhere between two weeks to a month for it to be delivered. Getting the Registration Certificate (RC) also takes around 15-20 days. After that, you can apply for the subsidy, which will take around 60-90 days.”

VAAHAN data shows Ather sold 372 units in Delhi in July, fewer than the 459 units it sold in March and 450 in May.

At Chetak’s store, Khushi estimated that close to 20 customers walked into the store every day last month, inquiring about their models, up from around 10-15 earlier. Sales have also gone up from around 3 a day to 4, she added.

The real impact of the policy will be visible in sales some months down the line in October, according to Ahmed, which will also coincide with the festive season when sales shoot up for consumer goods across India.

Khushi said that once even a small number of people start getting the subsidy, then news will spread like wildfire.