Quick Highlights:Over 1 lakh electric vehicles registered in Delhi since BJP took charge, surpassing last year’s figures.New Delhi EV policy to be introduced soon with subsidies to boost adoption.Electric bus fleet expanded to 3,518, target set at 7,000 by November 2026.Delhi’s air quality remains severe, with AQI crossing 400 in multiple hotspots.Over 1 Lakh EV Registrations Since BJP Took Charge: Delhi MinisterDelhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on Saturday said that more than one lakh electric vehicles have been registered in the national capital since the BJP government assumed office, marking a significant push toward clean mobility. Addressing a press conference, the minister criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for what he described as slow adoption of electric vehicles due to the absence of adequate subsidies and long-term planning .Singh stated that the BJP government is committed to accelerating the transition to electric mobility as part of its broader strategy to tackle Delhi’s chronic air pollution problem . He announced that a new electric vehicle policy for Delhi would be introduced soon , aimed at encouraging more residents to switch to EVs and supporting sustainable transportation.Criticism of Previous Government Over EV AdoptionThe Delhi minister alleged that the lack of financial incentives under the previous government discouraged citizens from adopting electric vehicles at scale. According to Singh, subsidies play a crucial role in reducing the upfront cost of EVs and motivating buyers to move away from conventional fuel-powered vehicles.“After our government came to power, we registered more than one lakh EVs . There are many reasons why EVs are not advancing further. The previous government did not provide subsidies for EVs. We are providing those subsidies now, but if the previous government had done so earlier, people in Delhi might have made greater efforts to adopt electric vehicles,” Singh said.He emphasized that the BJP government believes in structured, long-term planning rather than short-term measures, particularly when it comes to environmental protection and urban mobility .New EV Policy to Be Launched SoonSingh confirmed that a new EV policy for Delhi is in the final stages and will be rolled out soon. While details of the policy were not disclosed, the government is expected to focus on financial incentives, infrastructure development, and wider adoption across private and public transport segments .“This year, more than one lakh EV registrations have already taken place, compared to last year when only around 80,000 registrations occurred. We are going to launch the EV scheme very soon, and we will control pollution effectively,” the minister said.Expansion of Electric Bus Fleet in DelhiHighlighting progress in public transport electrification, Singh said the BJP government has significantly expanded the electric bus fleet in Delhi. Since coming to power, 3,518 electric buses have been added to the city’s public transport system .The government has set ambitious targets for the coming years. According to Singh, the electric bus fleet will be expanded to over 5,000 buses by March 2026, and further scaled up to more than 7,000 electric buses by November 2026. This expansion is expected to reduce emissions from public transport while improving connectivity and commuter convenience.Efforts to Control Pollution and Enforce RegulationsAddressing Delhi’s worsening air quality, Singh said the government has intensified enforcement measures and witnessed strong public participation. He noted a significant rise in compliance with Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms.“Within just three days, over one lakh people registered for PUC certificates, and on December 19 alone, more than 40,000 people registered,” he said, adding that this reflects growing public awareness and cooperation.The minister also outlined strict enforcement at Delhi’s borders. Transport enforcement teams have been deployed at 15 major entry points into the city to restrict polluting vehicles.“We have allowed vehicles of essential services, but we are not allowing vehicles other than BS6-compliant vehicles. Several vehicles have been fined for violations,” Singh said.Sharing enforcement data, he revealed that 283 challans were issued on December 17, nearly 300 on December 18, and as many as 775 challans on December 19, indicating stepped-up action against polluting vehicles .Government Vehicles to Shift to EVsSingh reiterated that the government is also leading by example by converting its own vehicle fleet to electric. He said this move is part of a broader effort to reduce emissions from government operations and promote EV adoption across all sectors.He assured citizens that advisories have been issued to ensure that essential services, especially hospitals, are not disrupted due to pollution-control measures. “There will be no problems of any kind for people in our hospitals,” the minister said.Delhi Wakes Up to Toxic Smog, AQI Remains SevereDespite these measures, Delhi continued to grapple with hazardous air quality on Saturday. The national capital woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog, significantly reducing visibility and affecting daily life.According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 380 around 7 a.m., placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. However, pollution levels worsened in several areas, entering the ‘severe’ category.CPCB data showed that Sarai Kale Khan recorded an AQI of 428 , while Akshardham reported 420 . Rao Tularam Marg stood at 403 , and the Barapullah flyover area recorded an AQI of 380 . Other major pollution hotspots included Anand Vihar at 428 , Ashok Vihar at 407 , and the ITO area at 429 .Large parts of the city continued to experience dangerously high pollution levels, raising health concerns for residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.As Delhi battles persistent air pollution, the government’s focus on electric mobility, stricter enforcement, and upcoming EV policy is expected to play a key role in the city’s long-term fight for cleaner air.