SC Suggests Phasing Out Luxury Petrol-Diesel Cars; Calls for EV Policy Review

Nov 15, 2025 - The Supreme Court has said that since large electric vehicles (EVs) are now easily available in the market, petrol-diesel vehicles of the same size can be restricted. A two-member Bench said this while hearing a public interest petition seeking effective enforcement of the government’s EV promotion policies. The Court suggested that the government frame a concrete policy in this direction and take essential steps for pollution control.

Emphasising the need to adopt EVs more rapidly, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that high-end luxury vehicles running on petrol and diesel should be phased out from the roads. The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that luxury EVs are just as convenient as luxury vehicles powered by conventional fuels.

The Judges suggested to the Central Government that banning expensive petrol-diesel cars initially would not impact the common person, as only a very small portion of the population can afford such vehicles, and could set the tone for a bigger move towards clean environment.

“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 Judges said.

Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also indicated that there may be a need to review the EV policy again. The Court said that it has been five years since the policy was implemented, so it should be reassessed considering present conditions.

The Court also mentioned that pilot projects could be run in metropolitan cities. Appreciating the government’s efforts, the Bench said significant progress has been made under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).

The plea was filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) through advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The matter has been adjourned for four weeks with the Bench directing the Centre to file the report.

Source: Media Reports

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