By News18
Shivrattan Dhillon recently took to X to express his strong disagreement with Delhi鈥檚 fuel ban for older cars running in the city. The government鈥檚 decision to combat pollution and encourage sustainable mobility by prohibiting older vehicles from refuelling with petrol or diesel sparked widespread online outrage. Many voiced frustration with the strict law, arguing that their older vehicles, though well-maintained and compliant with pollution tests, faced impoundment or scrapping if caught by cameras at select city petrol pumps.
Dhillon was among the many who voiced their anger, and his post about his father鈥檚 16-year-old Mercedes went viral on 鈥榅鈥 while resonating with many who found themselves in a similar sticky situation.
鈥淭his is my dad鈥檚 16-year-old Mercedes E280 V6 still running stronger and cleaner than most of the so-called modern cars that keep breaking down on roads. Every single button still works, and the engine? Still does 0鈥100 in just 6鈥7 seconds. Zero pollution, zero nonsense. But sadly, I have to label it a 鈥渧intage scrap鈥 just because we live in a country where politicians have zero love for cars! I challenge the government to prove it pollutes. They won鈥檛, but they鈥檒l still penalize it!鈥 Dhillon wrote as he shared the photos of this family鈥檚 Mercedes car.
End-of-life Rule On Hold
The rule that came into effect on July 1 lasted two days, after which it was put on hold.
鈥淒elhi Chief Minister has assured residents that old vehicles will not be impounded arbitrarily. We will not allow old vehicles to be impounded. At the same time, we are committed to controlling pollution in Delhi,鈥 Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
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This came after a widespread backlash from Delhi residents and criticism from opposition leaders.
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鈥淒elhi residents are already facing issues regarding End-of-Life Vehicles. The government has written to the Chairman of CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) and stated that it lacks the necessary infrastructure to implement the policy,鈥 he added as he acknowledged the discontent of the Delhi residents over the end-of-life rule.
Sigh Of Relief
As the Delhi government paused the End-of-Life vehicle impounding policy, Dhillon once again took to 鈥榅鈥, this time to express his happiness that the voice of the common citizen prevailed.
鈥淒ELHI GOVERNMENT TO ADJUST
VEHICLE POLICY
鈥 Delhi government to modify vehicle policy, sparing old vehicles from scrapping
鈥 Only polluting vehicles will be scrapped, not all vehicles
It feels like we finally made it grateful to everyone who supported us, especially the national news channels!鈥
DELHI GOVERNMENT TO ADJUSTVEHICLE POLICY
鈥 Delhi government to modify vehicle policy, sparing old vehicles from scrapping鈥 Only polluting vehicles will be scrapped, not all vehicles
It feels like we finally made it grateful to everyone who supported us, especially the鈥 https://t.co/Ava2Wz0hra
鈥 Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) July 3, 2025
He further informed that following his original post, he received several offers from potential buyers to purchase his father鈥檚 Mercedes. He claimed he received upwards of 500 messages from people who offered him twice or triple the current price of an old Mercedes E280 V6.
鈥淩eceived over 500 similar messages people offering double or even triple the current price for the old Mercedes E280 V6. It鈥檚 heartening to see the love for classic machines still alive. There鈥檚 something timeless about that old-school charm the pure driving feel. With modern cars, buyers test drive, analyze features, compare endlessly before deciding. But with these old Mercs, people are ready to seal the deal without even seeing the vehicle. That鈥檚 the kind of respect cars used to command built to last a lifetime, unlike today鈥檚 models that feel outdated in just a few years!(sic)鈥