Complete EV transition in Delhi could cut transport PM2.5 emissions by over 60% by 2030: ICCT study

By Jag Jivan  

A complete shift to electric vehicles (EVs) in Delhi could reduce transport-related PM2.5 emissions by over 60% by 2030, a recent study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has found. The revelation comes amid renewed public alarm over the national capital’s air quality, as the social media campaign #NoHalfMeasures gains momentum across the country.

The study highlights that vehicular emissions continue to be a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, with road transport accounting for nearly 39% of PM2.5 emissions, according to data from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Experts say the electrification of the city's transport sector could be a game-changer in combating the toxic air that residents breathe daily.

Public outrage is intensifying in the wake of recent pollution reports. According to the World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir, Delhi retained its position as the most polluted capital city globally for the fourth consecutive year. In November 2024, the city’s average PM2.5 concentration surpassed 350 micrograms per cubic meter—a staggering 23 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit.

The human cost is significant. A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health attributed over 54,000 premature deaths in Delhi in 2023 to air pollution-related causes. Residents are increasingly facing severe health risks including asthma, heart disease, strokes, and cancer due to prolonged exposure to toxic pollutants.

The crisis resurfaced on June 7, 2025, when the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR hit 209, falling into the 'Poor' category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Measures under this phase include intensified dust control, tighter norms at construction sites, enhanced street cleaning, and increased field-level monitoring.

Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that poor air quality conditions are likely to persist, prompting officials to consider more stringent interventions if needed.

With policy measures underway, citizen action is emerging as a crucial pillar of change. Public transport usage, carpooling, and reduction of single-use plastics are being actively encouraged. Experts also emphasize that small changes—such as choosing e-rickshaws over diesel autos or carpooling—can collectively have a substantial impact.

The #NoHalfMeasures campaign, now trending nationally, is calling for bold and unified efforts to address the pollution crisis. Citizens, health professionals, and environmental activists alike are rallying around the message that only decisive and comprehensive action—like a complete EV transition—can secure Delhi’s environmental future.