Delhi Man Sells Range Rover at Throwaway Price Due to 10-Year Diesel Ban

A Delhi-based businessman recently made headlines after being forced to sell his luxury Range Rover at a heavily discounted price—just ₹8 lakh—due to the city’s 10-year diesel vehicle ban. The rule, aimed at curbing pollution, has left many diesel vehicle owners struggling with losses, particularly those with high-end cars that are still in excellent condition but legally unusable on the city’s roads.

Luxury Car, Harsh Rule

The man, who had purchased the Range Rover in 2014 for over ₹1 crore, had no choice but to sell it as it reached its 10-year limit. Despite the vehicle being in perfect running condition, the National Green Tribunal’s rule makes it illegal to operate diesel cars older than 10 years in Delhi-NCR. His only options were either scrapping the car or selling it outside the city—and the latter came with financial sacrifice.

His story is now circulating widely on social media, raising questions about the long-term feasibility and fairness of such blanket bans.

What the Rule Says

According to the current policy in Delhi-NCR, diesel vehicles are allowed on roads for a maximum of 10 years, while petrol vehicles can run for 15 years. After the deadline, owners are required to either de-register the vehicle or shift it to a different state where rules are less stringent.

This move, introduced to reduce rising pollution levels, has been largely effective in phasing out older, high-emission vehicles. However, many vehicle owners, especially in Tier 2 cities like Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, are now feeling the heat as resale value drops and legal complications rise.

Financial Loss for Owners

Car owners—particularly those with luxury models—argue that the policy does not account for vehicle condition or value. A 10-year-old diesel SUV, which could still serve another decade mechanically, is rendered worthless in Delhi. Several owners say they were not prepared for the economic hit and are demanding policy revisions that allow for conditional extensions or resale flexibility.

Used car dealers in Tier 2 cities report a growing number of inquiries from Delhi owners trying to shift their vehicles at heavily discounted prices.

Is There a Way Out?

Some experts have suggested that retrofitting older diesel vehicles with cleaner technology or converting them to electric could be a solution. However, such conversions are expensive and not widely available.

Another option is transferring the vehicle to another state, but even this comes with RTO hurdles, logistics costs, and low buyer interest due to the car’s age on paper.

Conclusion

The case of the Delhi man forced to sell his Range Rover at a fraction of its worth has highlighted a real and growing issue for vehicle owners in high-pollution zones. While environmental concerns must be addressed, the challenge lies in finding a policy balance that considers both sustainability and economic impact. For now, many Delhiites are left counting their losses—one engine at a time