India Unveils End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Rules 2025

India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025, set to take effect from April 1, 2025. These new regulations aim to streamline the management of vehicles that have reached the end of their operational life, aligning with India's sustainability goals and circular economy ambitions.

Key Features of the ELV Rules 2025

1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Vehicle manufacturers will now be responsible for managing the end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) they sell. Starting from the financial year 2025-26, producers must meet annual scrapping targets for:

• Transport vehicles aged 15 years or more
• Non-transport vehicles aged 20 years or more

This move encourages manufacturers to consider the entire lifecycle of their vehicles, promoting design innovation and material circularity.

2. Centralized Online Portal

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will launch a centralized digital portal within six months of the rules' publication. The platform will serve as a one-stop interface for:

• Registering producers, bulk consumers, and Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs)
• Tracking ELVs in real time
• Managing the issuance and exchange of EPR certificates

This digital infrastructure is expected to improve transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency within the vehicle disposal ecosystem.

3. Role of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs)

RVSFs will play a crucial role in the ELV process. Their responsibilities include:

• Depolluting, dismantling, and segregating vehicle components
• Ensuring the safe recycling and reuse of recovered materials
• Collaborating with registered recyclers and refurbishers to maintain environmental standards

This approach ensures that hazardous waste is handled appropriately, while valuable materials are recovered and reintegrated into the supply chain.

4. Exemptions

Certain agricultural machinery, including tractors, trailers, combine harvesters, and power tillers, are exempt from the ELV rules as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Driving India Towards a Circular Automotive Economy

The ELV Rules, 2025 reflect India’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its expanding automotive industry. By holding manufacturers accountable through EPR, building digital infrastructure for compliance, and encouraging responsible scrapping and recycling, India is taking significant steps toward a more sustainable automotive future.

Successful implementation will rely on collaboration between policymakers, manufacturers, recyclers, and consumers to ensure that the new regulations meet their environmental and economic goals.

For more details, refer to the MoEFCC guidelines.