New Delhi: Ashok Leyland and its electric mobility arm, Switch Mobility, have become the first vehicle manufacturers to join the Government of India’s scheme aimed at replacing older trucks and buses in the Delhi-NCR region, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The agreement marks the first industry partnership under the programme, which seeks to accelerate fleet modernisation and encourage the adoption of cleaner transport technologies. Under the arrangement, Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility will offer an 8 per cent discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible trucks and buses purchased under the scheme.
For electric vehicles, the discount will be capped at the level applicable to an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle of the corresponding Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) category. The OEM discount will be complemented by a range of incentives from the Centre and participating state governments.
The Central Government will provide a 5 per cent interest subvention along with fixed monthly fuel vouchers for five years. State governments participating in the scheme will extend concessions of up to 100 per cent on motor vehicle tax for ten years and waive registration fees for eligible beneficiaries.
The scheme is designed to encourage owners of trucks and buses registered in Delhi-NCR and operating under Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) or older emission norms to replace them with Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) compliant vehicles or electric alternatives. The objective is to reduce vehicular pollution while improving the efficiency and environmental performance of commercial vehicle fleets in the region.
According to the Ministry, the signing of the first MoU moves the scheme closer to full implementation. More automobile manufacturers are expected to join the initiative in the coming weeks, expanding the range of vehicles available under the programme and supporting broader adoption of cleaner mobility solutions across Delhi-NCR.
BI Bureau
