Starting today, Delhi has officially enforced a strict ban on refuelling end-of-life (EoL) vehicles. This means if you own a diesel vehicle older than 10 years or a petrol vehicle older than 15 years, you can no longer fill up your tank at any fuel station in the national capital. If you're caught trying to refuel, your vehicle can be impounded on the spot and sent for scrapping. So, what does this mean for thousands of 'end-of-life' vehicle owners in Delhi? Let's break down all your options, from scrapping to converting to CNG or even going electric. Why Has This Refuelling Ban Come Into Effect?Delhi has struggled for years with severe air pollution, and old vehicles are known to be major contributors. To tackle this, the government has stepped up its crackdown by directly cutting off fuel supply to vehicles that have crossed their permitted age limit. MCD and Delhi police teams have been deployed at nearly all petrol pumps in the city to ensure compliance. If your vehicle is flagged by an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera, you risk immediate penalties and impoundment of the vehicle. Scrap Your Vehicle Through A Certified FacilityThe first and most straightforward option is to scrap your old vehicle through a government-registered scrapping centre. This is exactly what the authorities want owners to do under the national vehicle scrappage policy. Once your vehicle is scrapped, you get a 'Certificate of Deposit', which can get you benefits like a rebate of up to 25% on road tax for your next car purchase. Retrofit A CNG KitInterestingly, this ban does not apply to CNG vehicles for now. If your old petrol car is still in good shape, you can check if it can be legally converted to run on CNG. Converting to CNG requires installing a certified kit through an approved retrofitter. After conversion, your car must pass a fitness test and be approved by the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Mind you, this process only applies to petrol car owners, as diesel vehicles cannot run on CNG. Retrofitting a CNG kit can cost anywhere from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on the car and kit. Convert To ElectricThough still less common, converting an old petrol or diesel vehicle to electric is slowly gaining interest in India. Some companies now offer certified electric conversion kits for older cars. The upfront cost is higher, often over Rs 4-6 lakh, but this move future-proofs your vehicle against age-related bans and rising fuel costs. However, the technology, approvals, and after-sales support for EV conversions are still evolving in India, so this route is not yet widespread. Sell Or Transfer The VehicleSome owners sold their old vehicles before the ban came into force. While selling an end-of-life diesel or petrol vehicle within Delhi is now not possible legally, some owners look for buyers in other states where the age limit is different. For example, some NCR regions have more relaxed rules. However, this is changing fast, and you should be cautious of shifting your vehicle just to avoid scrapping. Fitness Certificates: Do They Work? Some owners argue that a well-maintained old car with valid insurance and pollution certificates should still be roadworthy. Unfortunately, Delhi's age-based rule is strict and does not accept a fitness certificate once a car crosses the age cap. So, even if your old car is in top condition, it cannot legally refuel or operate in Delhi. What Should You Do Now?If you still own an end-of-life petrol or diesel vehicle in Delhi, the best step is to act quickly. Either get it scrapped officially and claim your incentives, explore a CNG retrofit if viable, or plan an EV conversion if it makes financial sense. Waiting too long could mean penalties, impoundment of the vehicle, and losing any remaining resale value.