Ban on luxury cars could help spur EV mission: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday suggested that the Centre consider banning highend luxury vehicles powered by petrol and diesel as a starting point for India's transition to electric mobility, observing that such a move would not affect the common man and could set the tone for a wider shift toward cleaner transport.

- Utkarsh Anand [e-mail]

SC said the move may set the tone for shift to cleaner transport.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi urged the Centre to draw up a roadmap for the promotion and phased implementation of electric vehicle (EV) policies across India, as it heard a public interest petition seeking effective enforcement of India's electric mobility policy.

According to the bench, since bigger electric vehicles are now available in the market, the shift toward cleaner mobility could begin by restricting the use of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the luxury segment.

"Now even large and high-end electric cars are available in the market, which can be as convenient as the other gas guzzlers used by many VIPs and big companies ... Think of imposing a ban on very high-end petrol or diesel vehicles first. It will not affect the common man because only a small part of the population can afford them," the bench observed.

Responding to the court's observation, attorney general R Venkataramani said that the government was "alive to the issue" and supportive of such measures.

"Thirteen ministries are involved in this matter, and on the implementation level, it requires a lot of attention," the AG told the bench, adding that a detailed report will be placed before the court specifying the notifications issued and the progress made in promoting electric mobility.