TL;DR
Delhi's auto drivers are concerned about the upcoming mandatory EV transition, citing inadequate charging infrastructure and high battery costs, reminiscent of past struggles during the CNG shift.
Auto-rickshaw drivers in Delhi are expressing significant concerns regarding the city's push towards electric vehicles (EVs), drawing parallels with the challenging transition to CNG in the past. While experts remain optimistic about the electrification of the three-wheeler segment, drivers highlight critical issues on the ground, particularly the inadequacy of charging infrastructure.
A recent report indicates that over half of all three-wheelers sold in India are electric, including e-rickshaws and e-autos. Delhi currently boasts approximately 2,500 charging points, and EVs can be charged at home. However, drivers fear that the optimism does not reflect the reality of prolonged waiting times at charging stations, which could severely impact their daily earnings, contrasting sharply with the quick refilling process of CNG. The Delhi EV Policy 2026 mandates that from January 1, 2027, only electric three-wheelers will be registered in the capital.
Despite the government's plans for scaling up public charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, drivers remain concerned about the current limited number of charging points relative to the growing number of electric autos, as well as the high cost of batteries.
