Delhi EV Policy 2026 Opens Door For Registration Of Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles

The Delhi government has formally incorporated a provision for the future registration and induction of hydrogen fuel-based vehicles under the newly notified Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026 , expanding the scope of the capital's clean mobility transition.

While the policy came into effect on July 1, 2026 , it does not specify a date from which hydrogen-powered vehicles can be registered. Instead, it states that if cleaner fuel technologies such as hydrogen are introduced during the policy period, they may be inducted and allowed to be registered based on a separate decision by the Delhi government.

The move comes weeks after Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh announced plans to introduce two hydrogen-powered buses in the national capital as part of efforts to promote clean energy and sustainable public transportation.

The policy cites findings from the latest report of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) , which estimates that vehicular emissions account for nearly 23 per cent of Delhi's air pollution , particularly during the winter months. The report identifies transport emissions as the single largest source of pollution in the city, highlighting the need for cleaner mobility solutions.

Officials said the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Limited for the deployment of the hydrogen-powered buses. The buses will be provided by NTPC under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

According to Singh, Delhi is steadily moving towards clean and future-ready public mobility solutions, with hydrogen fuel technology representing an important step towards environmentally responsible transportation.

The proposed buses will operate under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model , with DTC facilitating operational deployment. Officials said NTPC will bear costs beyond the approved GCC rate of Rs 45 per kilometre .

The initiative aims to introduce advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology into Delhi's public transport network and complement the city's ongoing shift towards sustainable, low-emission transport solutions . Although the policy enables the future registration of hydrogen-powered vehicles, their actual induction and registration will require a separate approval from the Delhi government.