Government Proposes Five-Year Extension for Cleaner Commercial Vehicles Under National Permit Rules

Government Proposes Five-Year Extension for Cleaner Commercial Vehicles Under National Permit Rules

New Delhi, Aug 18: The government has proposed extending the permissible age of battery-operated, hydrogen-powered and natural gas-driven commercial vehicles by five years under the national permit system, a move aimed at encouraging cleaner transport and making alternative-fuel vehicles more attractive to fleet operators.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed the changes through draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The proposal applies only to vehicles covered under the national permit framework and would not extend the age limit for all commercial vehicles.

If approved, the move could give operators more time to recover the higher upfront cost of cleaner vehicles. This could be particularly helpful for businesses that are considering electric, hydrogen or natural gas vehicles but remain concerned about initial investment and financing costs.

The draft amendments also seek to simplify the national permit system. Operators could be allowed to obtain permit authorisation electronically for up to five years at a time, while the annual fee would remain at Rs 16,500. This would allow operators to avoid the need for annual renewal.

The government also plans to expand the use of the VAHAN database to reduce paperwork. Vehicle and registration details already available on the portal could be automatically retrieved during applications, allowing users to provide only information that is not already recorded.

Additional changes have been proposed for vehicle registration and documentation. These include information related to insurance, pollution certificates, fitness certificates, pending challans and previous national permits.

The draft also proposes bringing eligible automotive component manufacturers involved in research and development within the trade certificate framework, which could support testing and development activities in the automobile sector.

The proposed reforms come as India seeks to modernise its commercial transport system while encouraging greater adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies.

For transport operators, a longer operating life could improve the economics of investing in alternative-fuel vehicles. At the same time, a more digital permit system could reduce administrative delays and make compliance easier.

The government has invited objections and suggestions on the draft amendments for 30 days. The proposals will become effective only after their final publication in the Official Gazette.

If approved, the changes could give cleaner commercial vehicles a longer operating window while supporting investment, reducing paperwork and accelerating India’s transition towards more sustainable road transport.