Delhi has implemented the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) regulation, introduced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), to rigorously control air pollution levels in the National Capital Region. To enforce this, the Delhi Transport Department, in partnership with Delhi Police, Traffic Police, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has launched a strict refuelling ban on old vehicles.
Starting today, at least one traffic police officer will be stationed at each of the 350 designated fuel stations to ensure that diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old are not refuelled, in line with the city’s stringent anti-pollution efforts.
Here’s where ELV will hit first
The CAQM announced that the fuel ban on ELVs will be applied in a phased manner starting from Delhi today. The next phase is expected to take place from November 1, which will include Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Sonipat. The rest of the NCR is scheduled to implement the ban on fuel starting from April 2026.
Non-BS VI compliant vehicles from other states will be prohibited from entering starting November 2025, unless they run on CNG, LNG, or electricity, as part of strict new anti-pollution regulations.
How does the vehicle ban work?
Delhi authorities have installed Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at approximately 350 fuel stations, connected to the VAHAN database. These cameras scan license plates in real-time, identifying vehicles exceeding their permitted lifespan—15 years for petrol/CNG and 10 years for diesel. Upon detection, the system alerts station operators and triggers an audio message.
Non-compliant vehicles are seized, with cranes stationed at select fuel pumps to remove them for transfer to Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities. Fuel stations must display clear signage stating, “No fuel for End of Life Vehicles: 15-year-old Petrol, 10-year-old Diesel, effective 01.07.2025.”
Nischal Singhania, president of Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA), said that they will enforce the new rule, but he hopes there is no unruly behaviour from the customers at the petrol stations.
