Supreme Court Suggests Ban on Luxury Cars to Encourage Electric Vehicle Adoption

The Supreme Court on Thursday suggested that India could consider banning luxury petrol and diesel vehicles as a first step toward effectively promoting electric mobility, noting that such a measure would not burden the common public. The observation came during the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking stronger implementation of government policies designed to encourage the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said such a selective restriction could be a meaningful starting point to transition from conventional vehicles to greener alternatives.

“Just think of imposing a ban on the very high-end vehicles first of all. It will not affect the common man. A very small part of the Indian population can afford that,” Justice Kant remarked during the hearing. He noted that the market already offers several high-end electric models comparable in comfort and performance to conventional fuel-powered luxury cars. The suggestion was made while emphasizing that a bold, targeted shift at the top end of the market could help signal India’s serious intent to promote sustainability without disrupting everyday consumers.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani, representing the central government, informed the court that the idea aligns with the government’s own vision for expanding the electric vehicle market. He said 13 ministries are currently working together to strengthen policy implementation and infrastructure development for India's EV ecosystem. “The government is actively proceeding on this front,” he confirmed. The court, while welcoming the government’s stance, underscored the need for a cohesive and time-bound EV strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

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Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, argued that the major obstacle to large-scale EV adoption is still inadequate charging infrastructure. “While price barriers have been addressed through incentive schemes, the lack of widespread charging stations remains the key challenge,” he stated. In response, the bench observed that the growth of charging stations is a market-driven process that will naturally expand as the number of electric vehicles rises. The judges also proposed that petrol pumps could gradually integrate EV charging facilities to accelerate access.

The bench further noted that the government’s EV promotion policies may require a comprehensive review to ensure consistency between incentives, industry readiness, and infrastructure. Attorney General Venkataramani assured the court that a detailed report outlining the progress and notifications issued under the EV policy will be submitted soon. The case has been scheduled for the next hearing in four weeks, with the court expected to examine the roadmap for India’s electric vehicle transition in greater detail.

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