With an aim to combat air pollution in Delhi, Non-electric and non-essential vehicles are now banned from entering forests and protected areas of the city. The announcement was recently made by Delhi’s environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The forest department has also been instructed to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and diesel with electric vehicles in the next two months.
Sirsa further says that the forests do not deserve smoke and noise but quiet, clean mobility. The announcement came after a detailed study was done on the vehicles.
Talking about the new announcement, Nikhil Anand Khurana, MD and CEO, Folks Motor said, “The Delhi government’s decision to ban non-electric vehicles from forest zones is a powerful statement about the kind of future we want to build,” says Nikhil Anand Khurana, MD and CEO of Folks Motor. “Protecting our green spaces from vehicular emissions is not just about conserving biodiversity, it’s about reimagining mobility in harmony with nature. This move sets an important precedent for urban centres across India to rethink how we move through ecologically sensitive areas.
It also reflects a growing urgency to prioritise clean, quiet transport in cities struggling with pollution and environmental degradation. We believe such decisions can act as catalysts for a deeper behavioural shift, encouraging both policy innovation and individual accountability. At Folks Motor, we are reengineering ICE vehicles into reliable, efficient EVs using government-approved high-efficiency kits, lowering the financial barrier to EV ownership while drastically cutting urban automotive waste. We believe extending the lifespan of vehicles through retrofitting, while reducing emissions, is critical for building a truly circular and sustainable mobility ecosystem.”
Akshay Shekhar, CEO and Co-founder, Kazam added, “Delhi’s move to replace all the full Forest Department fleet with Electric Vehicles in 60 days sends a strong message about putting climate goals into urgent action. It’s great to see public fleets setting the pace, especially in environmentally sensitive zones. To make sure these transitions work smoothly, a strong charging infrastructure and smart management systems are key to avoiding any disruption in daily operations.”