MoRTH and Eicher Trucks & Buses Partner to Accelerate Commercial Vehicle Modernisation in Delhi-NCR!

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Eicher Trucks & Buses, the commercial vehicle business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the replacement of ageing commercial vehicles across the Delhi-NCR region. The initiative forms part of the Government of India’s broader strategy to improve air quality, reduce vehicular emissions and promote the adoption of cleaner, more fuel-efficient commercial vehicles. By encouraging fleet owners to replace older BS-IV and pre-BS-IV vehicles with modern BS-VI and electric trucks and buses, the programme is expected to make a significant contribution towards cleaner transportation and sustainable mobility in one of the country’s most polluted regions.

The partnership has been established under the Scheme for Support to NCRPB for Replacement of Old Trucks and Buses in Delhi-NCR Area, which aims to phase out high-emission commercial vehicles through a combination of financial incentives provided by the Central Government, participating state governments and vehicle manufacturers. The scheme is designed to encourage faster fleet renewal while supporting transport operators in upgrading to vehicles that offer improved environmental performance, enhanced fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

As part of the agreement, Eicher Trucks & Buses will provide eligible customers with an 8 percent discount on the ex-showroom price of qualifying commercial vehicles purchased under the programme. In addition to the manufacturer’s discount, fleet owners replacing older vehicles will be eligible for several government-supported incentives, including concessions on motor vehicle tax, reduced registration charges, interest subvention and fuel-related benefits, subject to the eligibility criteria specified under the scheme. These combined incentives are intended to reduce the financial burden of fleet modernisation while encouraging wider adoption of cleaner commercial vehicles.

The programme is expected to deliver multiple benefits for both fleet operators and the environment. Modern BS-VI and electric commercial vehicles offer significantly lower emissions, improved fuel economy, higher reliability and reduced maintenance requirements compared to older vehicle models. By accelerating the replacement of ageing fleets, the initiative aims to improve operational efficiency for transport businesses while contributing to better air quality across the National Capital Region. The scheme also supports India’s broader objectives of promoting sustainable transportation, reducing carbon emissions and advancing cleaner mobility solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, SS Gill, Chief Commercial Officer of VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd., said Eicher Trucks & Buses has been helping customers modernise their commercial vehicle fleets for more than four decades. He stated that the company is proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in implementing a policy that encourages the replacement of older, high-emission vehicles with modern and environmentally friendly alternatives. According to Gill, participating customers will benefit from incentives offered not only by the Government of India but also by the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, making fleet replacement more financially attractive.

To ensure efficient implementation, the programme will be administered through a centralized digital platform integrated with MoRTH’s VAHAN database and the authorised vehicle scrapping ecosystem. This digital framework will enable seamless verification of vehicle eligibility, simplify the scrapping process and facilitate faster approval and disbursement of incentives for participating fleet owners. The streamlined digital approach is expected to improve transparency while reducing administrative delays.

Eicher Trucks & Buses has consistently focused on developing technologically advanced commercial vehicles that deliver higher productivity, superior fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Through this strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the company further strengthens its commitment to supporting India’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation. The initiative not only promotes faster fleet modernisation but also reinforces the Government’s efforts to build a more environmentally responsible and efficient commercial vehicle ecosystem across the Delhi-NCR region.