To promote shared mobility and electric vehicle adoption, the Delhi government has agreed in principle to allow privately-owned EVs to operate as shared taxis. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta assured amendments to rules and mechanisms to address cab aggregators' concerns. The decision came from a high-level meeting involving automobile firms and aggregators.
The Delhi government on Friday agreed in principle to permit privately-owned electric vehicles (EVs) to function as shared taxis, aiming to boost shared mobility and EV uptake. This decision emerged from a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, attended by Transport Minister Pankaj Singh, department officials, representatives from Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, and Honda, as well as cab aggregators Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
Gupta stated that the government is ready to facilitate companies, resolve their issues, and introduce rule flexibility to encourage EV purchases and aggregator use for commuting. Aggregators were directed to submit a plan with timelines for demand-based EV supply across Delhi.
The companies committed to launching shared taxi services and women-driven taxis within one month. They are prepared to onboard private EVs and BS-VI vehicles as taxis, pending rule changes. The chief minister promised swift amendments while emphasizing strict passenger safety measures, to which the firms agreed.
Gupta urged aggregators to integrate e-rickshaws into their platforms and explore shuttle services on the Ring Road and to the airport. She suggested offering concessions and consumer-attracting pricing structures. The government will provide land for charging stations, but companies must investigate solar charging options. She stressed that firms handle battery waste management to prevent new pollution sources.
“Effective and sustainable control of pollution in Delhi is possible only by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads. Transport-related companies must actively support the government’s mission, as only then can the capital quickly transform into a Viksit Delhi,” Gupta added.