Summary
The Delhi government is proposing a new policy to incentivize owners of old petrol and diesel vehicles to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative aims to significantly reduce air pollution, a critical issue in the capital. The plan includes financial incentives for scrapping old vehicles and purchasing new EVs, potentially offering up to ₹25,000 for two-wheelers and ₹50,000 for four-wheelers. This move is part of a broader strategy to achieve 25% EV adoption by 2025, aligning with the city's commitment to cleaner air and sustainable transport. The policy is currently in its draft stage, inviting public feedback before finalization.
Full Analysis
The Delhi government is proposing a new policy to incentivize owners of old petrol and diesel vehicles to switch to electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative aims to significantly reduce air pollution, a critical issue in the capital. The plan includes financial incentives for scrapping old vehicles and purchasing new EVs, potentially offering up to ₹25,000 for two-wheelers and ₹50,000 for four-wheelers. This move is part of a broader strategy to achieve 25% EV adoption by 2025, aligning with the city's commitment to cleaner air and sustainable transport. The policy is currently in its draft stage, inviting public feedback before finalization.
Background Context
Air pollution has been a persistent and severe challenge for Delhi, often topping lists of the world's most polluted cities. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor, alongside industrial pollution, construction dust, and stubble burning from neighboring states. Past efforts include odd-even schemes, BS emission norms, and promotion of public transport. The push for Electric Vehicles (EVs) is a global trend towards sustainable mobility and a key strategy in India's climate action commitments.
Practice MCQs
Question 1
Consider the following statements regarding initiatives for promoting Electric Vehicles (EVs) and combating vehicular pollution in India:
1. The Delhi government's proposed policy aims to achieve 25% EV adoption by 2025.
2. The FAME India scheme primarily focuses on providing direct financial incentives to individual buyers for purchasing EVs.
3. The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy mandates the scrapping of all government vehicles older than 15 years and commercial vehicles older than 20 years.
4. Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms primarily regulate the fuel efficiency standards for vehicles in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as per the news. The Delhi government aims for 25% EV adoption by 2025.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While FAME India (Phase II) does offer demand incentives, its primary focus is on supporting the development of EV charging infrastructure and providing incentives for public and commercial transport EVs, rather than solely direct financial incentives to individual buyers across all segments. It also promotes manufacturing.
Statement 3 is correct. The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy (Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernization Programme) mandates the scrapping of government vehicles older than 15 years and commercial vehicles older than 20 years, while offering incentives for voluntary scrapping of private vehicles.
Statement 4 is incorrect. Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms primarily regulate the *emission standards* for pollutants from internal combustion engines, not directly fuel efficiency standards, although improved engine technology to meet stricter emission norms can indirectly lead to better fuel efficiency.
Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Question 2
In the context of air pollution in Indian cities, consider the following statements:
1. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) is primarily emitted from vehicular exhaust and industrial processes, but not from biomass burning.
2. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are considered zero-emission vehicles because they produce no tailpipe emissions.
3. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to achieve a 20% to 30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, with 2017 as the base year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) is indeed emitted from vehicular exhaust and industrial processes, but biomass burning (e.g., stubble burning, domestic cooking with solid fuels) is also a significant contributor to PM2.5 pollution, especially in regions like the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Statement 2 is correct. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not directly emit pollutants like PM2.5, NOx, or CO from their exhaust pipes. However, their overall 'well-to-wheel' emissions depend on the source of electricity generation and battery manufacturing processes.
Statement 3 is correct. The NCAP, launched in 2019, set a national target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 2024, taking 2017 as the base year for comparison. This target has since been revised for some cities.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Question 3
Which of the following statements correctly describes the 'Polluter Pays Principle' in the context of environmental protection in India?
A) It states that the government is solely responsible for the costs of preventing and controlling pollution.
B) It mandates that the polluter should bear the costs of pollution control and remediation, regardless of the intent.
C) It implies that industries causing pollution must pay a fixed fine to the government as compensation.
D) It allows polluters to continue polluting as long as they contribute to a national environmental fund.
- It states that the government is solely responsible for the costs of preventing and controlling pollution.
- It mandates that the polluter should bear the costs of pollution control and remediation, regardless of the intent.
- It implies that industries causing pollution must pay a fixed fine to the government as compensation.
- It allows polluters to continue polluting as long as they contribute to a national environmental fund.
Explanation: The 'Polluter Pays Principle' is a fundamental principle of environmental law. It states that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment. This includes the costs of pollution control and remediation. The Supreme Court of India has incorporated this principle into Indian environmental jurisprudence. Option B correctly describes this principle. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they misrepresent the core tenet of the principle, which is about accountability for environmental damage and its costs, not just fines or government responsibility.
Previous Year Questions
PYQ 1 - UPSC Prelims 2024 2024
With reference to Electric Vehicles (EVs) and related policies in India, consider the following statements:
1. The FAME India scheme primarily aims to promote the manufacturing and adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country.
2. The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020 envisioned achieving national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles.
3. State-level EV policies, such as the one proposed by the Delhi government, often include incentives for scrapping old Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) India scheme is a flagship initiative to promote EVs. Statement 2 is correct: The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 was launched to promote hybrid and electric vehicles in India. Statement 3 is correct: Many state EV policies, including the proposed Delhi policy, integrate vehicle scrappage incentives to accelerate the transition to EVs.
PYQ 2 - UPSC Mains 2024 2024
Discuss the multi-faceted challenges posed by air pollution in Indian megacities, particularly Delhi. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions like electric vehicle promotion and vehicle scrappage policies in addressing this issue, suggesting further measures for sustainable urban air quality management.
PYQ 3 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
The Delhi government has proposed a new policy to achieve what percentage of Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption by 2025?
- (a) 10%
- (b) 15%
- (c) 25%
- (d) 50%
Explanation: The Delhi government's proposed policy aims to achieve 25% EV adoption by 2025.
PYQ 4 - SSC CHSL 2024 2024
Under the Delhi government's proposed EV incentive policy, what is the maximum financial incentive offered for scrapping an old four-wheeler and purchasing a new EV?
- (a) ₹10,000
- (b) ₹25,000
- (c) ₹50,000
- (d) ₹75,000
Explanation: The policy proposes up to ₹50,000 for four-wheelers.
PYQ 5 - SSC CGL 2024 2024
The primary goal of the Delhi government's proposed policy to incentivize EV adoption is to:
- (a) Promote tourism in Delhi
- (b) Reduce air pollution in the capital
- (c) Increase revenue from vehicle sales
- (d) Boost the manufacturing of petrol vehicles
Explanation: The initiative explicitly aims to significantly reduce air pollution, a critical issue in the capital.
PYQ 6 - IBPS PO 2024 2024
The Delhi government's proposed policy for Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption includes financial incentives for scrapping old vehicles. What is the maximum incentive proposed for two-wheelers?
- (a) ₹10,000
- (b) ₹25,000
- (c) ₹50,000
- (d) ₹75,000
Explanation: The plan includes financial incentives potentially offering up to ₹25,000 for two-wheelers.
PYQ 7 - SBI PO 2024 2024
The Delhi government's new EV incentive policy is currently in which stage?
- (a) Implemented stage
- (b) Pilot project stage
- (c) Draft stage, inviting public feedback
- (d) Finalized and launched stage
Explanation: The policy is currently in its draft stage, inviting public feedback before finalization.
PYQ 8 - IBPS Clerk 2024 2024
Which of the following is the primary environmental concern that the Delhi government's EV adoption policy aims to address?
- (a) Water scarcity
- (b) Deforestation
- (c) Air pollution
- (d) Soil erosion
Explanation: The initiative aims to significantly reduce air pollution, a critical issue in the capital.
PYQ 9 - CDS 2024 2024
Consider the following statements regarding the Delhi government's proposed Electric Vehicle (EV) policy:
1. It aims to achieve 25% EV adoption in the city by 2025.
2. It includes financial incentives for scrapping old petrol and diesel vehicles.
3. The policy is currently in its final implementation stage after public feedback.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the target is 25% EV adoption by 2025. Statement 2 is correct as it includes incentives for scrapping old vehicles. Statement 3 is incorrect because the policy is currently in its draft stage, inviting public feedback, not in its final implementation stage.
PYQ 10 - CDS 2024 2024
The FAME India scheme, often discussed in the context of Electric Vehicle (EV) promotion, stands for:
- (a) Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles
- (b) Future Automobile Mobility and Energy
- (c) Financial Assistance for Modernizing Electric Vehicles
- (d) Fuel Alternatives for Motorized Engines
Explanation: FAME stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India. It is a scheme by the Government of India to promote electric and hybrid vehicles.
PYQ 11 - CDS 2024 2024
Which of the following is a potential environmental benefit of widespread Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption in urban areas?
- (a) Increased reliance on fossil fuels
- (b) Reduction in noise pollution
- (c) Higher greenhouse gas emissions from charging
- (d) Greater demand for petroleum products
Explanation: EVs produce significantly less noise compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, contributing to a reduction in noise pollution in urban areas. While the source of electricity for charging can impact overall emissions, tailpipe emissions are zero, and noise reduction is a direct benefit.