Ashok Leyland, Switch First to Join Delhi Vehicle Plan

Synopsis:  Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility become the first OEMs to join the Centre’s Delhi-NCR vehicle replacement scheme, offering discounts on new trucks and buses to promote cleaner mobility and reduce pollution.

Ashok Leyland and its electric mobility subsidiary Switch Mobility have become the first original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to join the Centre’s vehicle replacement scheme for Delhi-NCR. The partnership marks an important step toward replacing older commercial vehicles with cleaner and more efficient alternatives, supporting efforts to reduce air pollution in the region.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the scheme is signed between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Ashok Leyland, and Switch Mobility. Through this agreement, the companies participate in the government initiative aimed at encouraging owners of old trucks and buses to shift toward newer vehicles complying with stricter emission standards.

Under the agreement, Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility provide an 8 per cent discount on the ex-showroom price of eligible trucks and buses purchased under the replacement programme. For electric vehicles, the discount is limited to the applicable benefit offered for an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle category based on gross vehicle weight (GVW).

The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise commercial vehicle fleets and improve air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. The scheme encourages owners of older trucks and buses to replace them with Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) compliant vehicles or electric vehicles, helping reduce emissions from road transport.

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The vehicle replacement programme has a total financial outlay of ₹9,585 crore and aims to support the replacement of a large number of ageing commercial vehicles operating in Delhi-NCR. The initiative includes financial support measures such as interest subvention, tax concessions, and other incentives to encourage faster adoption of cleaner vehicles.

The participation of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility strengthens the role of automobile manufacturers in India’s clean mobility transition. While Ashok Leyland contributes its experience in commercial vehicle manufacturing, Switch Mobility brings expertise in electric mobility solutions, supporting the shift toward sustainable transportation.

The scheme is expected to benefit transport operators, fleet owners, and businesses by reducing the cost burden of purchasing new vehicles. It also aims to improve operational efficiency by encouraging the adoption of modern vehicles with better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

The government expects more automobile manufacturers to participate in the programme, enabling wider access to cleaner transportation options. Increased industry participation is likely to accelerate fleet renewal and strengthen India’s transition toward sustainable mobility.

The collaboration between the Centre and leading vehicle manufacturers reflects a joint effort to address environmental concerns while supporting the growth of the commercial transport sector. The initiative combines policy support, industry participation, and cleaner technology adoption to build a more sustainable transport ecosystem in Delhi-NCR.