Relief for Vehicle Owners as Top Court Suspends Fuel Ban on End-of-Life Petrol and Diesel Vehicles.
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court of India has directed that no coercive action will be taken against owners of diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Background: Ban on Fuel Supply for Older Vehicles
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had issued an order in July, instructing that fuel supply should be stopped to vehicles that fall under the “end-of-life” category.
- The order was in line with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that called for older vehicles to be scrapped.
- Affected vehicles:
- Diesel vehicles over 10 years old
- Petrol vehicles over 15 years old
Order Temporarily Deferred
Following public backlash and a petition by the Delhi government, the implementation of the CAQM directive was deferred until November 1.
Supreme Court’s Latest Ruling
On Tuesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented the Delhi government’s plea before a Supreme Court bench comprising:
- Chief Justice BR Gavai
- Justice K Vinod Chandran
- Justice NV Anjaria
The court issued a clear directive:
“No coercive steps shall be taken against owners of diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years.”
A notice was also issued to the Centre and CAQM, with the matter returnable in four weeks.
Delhi Government’s Stand
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that the 2025 pollution scenario is vastly different from 2018.
“Modern technologies are now available. Pollution, not age, should determine a vehicle’s validity.”
Sirsa added:
“If a vehicle is polluting, it should be banned—whether it’s five years old or fifteen.”
What This Means for Vehicle Owners
- No immediate penalties or fuel bans for older vehicles in Delhi-NCR.
- Owners can continue using their diesel/petrol vehicles while the case is under review.
- Scrappage rules remain under consideration based on updated technology and pollution norms.
This ruling offers a temporary relief to thousands of vehicle owners in Delhi-NCR, while opening the door for re-evaluation of outdated emission policies. The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the need to prioritize pollution levels over vehicle age in environmental regulations.
