In an attempt to discourage the use of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the Union Territory (UT) administration in Chandigarh will restrict registration of such vehicles including two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
EV policy
This is part of Chandigarh’s Electric Vehicle (EV) policy through which it aims to transform the city into a “Model EV City” over 5 years.
It intends to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and simultaneously discourage the registration of vehicles that contribute to pollution.
Maximum registration targets
It has set specific targets for 2023 to curb the spread of vehicles running on fossil fuels, meaning only a limited number of ICE vehicles were permitted to be registered in Chandigarh in 2023.
The policy specified that the target is to register at maximum 12,076 two-wheelers and 15,465 four-wheelers for the entire year.
Timeline
From October and December, it will halt the registrations of ICE vehicles in the state.
From the beginning of the first week of October, the registration of non-electric two-wheelers will end.
The registration of non-electric four-wheelers will be stopped by December of this year.
Opposition
The EV policy has faced opposition from various associations, including the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association of India, which represents automobile dealers in Chandigarh.
They said such stringent limits on fuel-run vehicles do not exist anywhere elsewhere in the country and that they adversely affect businesses.
The association had lodged an official complaint against the Chandigarh administration back in February.
In response, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a notice against the Chandigarh administration, challenging the policy and the registration limits.
However, it did not provide temporary relief to the petitioner during the hearing.
Defending the policy
In defense of the policy, the Chandigarh administration stressed the global concern of climate change and the significant role played by the road transport sector in causing global warming.
It said the policy aligns with the central government’s push for cleaner energy sources in transportation and will transform Chandigarh into a Model Electric Vehicle City.
