Convert old petrol and diesel vehicles to EVs and receive a ₹50,000 subsidy. The Delhi government may allow EV retrofitting in old diesel and petrol vehicles under its new EV policy. Furthermore, it is considering offering a ₹50,000 subsidy for the first 1,000 vehicles.

The Delhi government is making a revolutionary change in its new draft EV policy. Old petrol and diesel cars in the capital will now be eligible for electric vehicle (EV) conversion. The government is also considering a subsidy of ₹50,000 for the first 1,000 retrofitted vehicles. This move will reduce the risk of millions of old vehicles in Delhi being scrapped, reduce pollution, and accelerate the adoption of EVs.

How will your petrol-diesel car be converted into an EV?

The retrofitting technology in Delhi was jointly developed by FOLKS MOTOR and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India). This technology will allow older vehicles to operate in two ways:

Hybrid driving mode

Use of both Engine + Motor.

Full electric driving mode

The vehicle will run only on motor and battery.

According to Nikhil Anand Khurana, CEO of Volkswagen Motors, "Your existing vehicle's engine and gearbox will not be removed. Only a retrofit motor, gearbox interface unit, and recuperative generator will be installed. This generator will convert 50–60% of your vehicle's mechanical losses into battery charge. The vehicle will be able to travel 50–100 km in EV mode. The battery bank will be relocated from its current location to the trunk."

This technology has found a place in the new EV draft policy of the Delhi government, which opens a big way to take it to the common people.

Questions about vehicle safety and insurance? The company's answer

• Many experts question the safety of EV retrofitting, but Volkswagen Motors claims:
• 10-12 sensors will be installed from the engine to the brakes.
• These sensors will immediately detect any kind of problem in the vehicle.
• The technology was patented in 2012.
• Safety testing and research done with ARAI for many years.
• The company will also provide warranty after retrofitting.
• There will be no problem with insurance claims and fitness certificates as the process is ARAI-approved.

How long will retrofitting take?

• This entire process will take only 4–6 hours.
• That is, the same time as normal servicing of your car.
• Volkswagen Motors is building a 4-acre EV auto park in Sonipat after receiving approval from the Delhi government, which will house a large-scale conversion and parts warehouse.

How much will it cost?

Cost of converting an old petrol or diesel car into an EV-

₹2 lakh + GST. However, the central government will determine the GST slab under which the retrofit kits will fall. Following the Delhi government's approval, other states will be able to adopt this model.

The Indian government has already given its approval.

• The Indian government gave conditional approval to EV retrofitment on June 23, 2016:
• Only BS-II or later models will be retrofitted.
• The weight of the vehicle should not exceed 3500 kg.
• There should be no further retrofitting before the retrofitting becomes an EV.
• Therefore, the New Delhi policy is in line with these conditions.

This will extend the lifespan of millions of vehicles and significantly reduce pollution. This move by the Delhi government could prove to be the country's largest EV conversion policy to date.

This will prevent millions of old vehicles from being scrapped. Pollution will be significantly reduced. Operating costs will be reduced by 70–80%. EV adoption will accelerate. The local EV industry will receive a major boost.

 PC:NDTVINDIA