Electric Vehicle Fined ₹10,000 for Missing PUC Certificate in Gurgaon Despite National Exemption

In a bizarre case of traffic enforcement, an electric vehicle (EV) owner in Gurgaon, Haryana, was issued a hefty challan that included a ₹10,000 penalty for "violating air pollution standards" due to the absence of a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The incident, which occurred on November 21, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion online after the image of the e-challan was shared on X (formerly Twitter).

The post by user @ShivrattanDhil1 includes clear images of the official challan from Haryana Police, highlighting what appears to be an oversight in applying rules that explicitly exempt EVs from PUC requirements.

Details of the Challan: Dual Offenses Totaling ₹12,000

The e-challan, generated at 11:25:31 on November 21, 2025, lists two violations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988:

1. Driving faster/slower than speed limits – ₹2,000 fine (normal penalty).
2. Violating air pollution standards – ₹10,000 fine (normal penalty), cited for lack of a valid PUC certificate.

The total penalty amounted to ₹12,000 (Twelve Thousand Rupees only). Photos attached to the challan show a white EV (Possible a Curvv EV) captured on the DW-VIDES 19 700 (Location Code)  camera system.

Personal details of the owner, including name, address, etc, were redacted in the shared images for privacy.

The Irony: EVs Are Exempt from PUC Requirements Nationwide

Under Central Motor Vehicle Rules amended by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), electric vehicles are fully exempted from the mandatory PUC certification process. This exemption recognizes that EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, rendering traditional pollution checks redundant.

The rule, in place since 2020 and reinforced in subsequent notifications, applies across India—including Haryana. PUC tests are designed for internal combustion engine vehicles to measure exhaust pollutants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons—parameters irrelevant to battery-powered EVs.

Traffic experts and EV advocates have pointed out that such challans often stem from automated systems or lack of updated training among enforcement personnel, who may apply generic pollution norms without verifying vehicle type.

Online Reaction and Broader Implications

The X post quickly gained traction, with users expressing disbelief and tagging authorities like Haryana Police and MoRTH for clarification. Many highlighted similar past incidents where EV owners received erroneous PUC-related fines, only resolved after appeals.

This case underscores ongoing challenges in India's EV ecosystem: While sales surge, ground-level implementation of supportive policies sometimes lags. Automated challan systems, reliant on camera feeds, may not differentiate fuel types, leading to avoidable disputes.

Owners in similar situations can challenge such fines via the Parivahan e-challan portal by submitting proof of EV registration and citing the exemption.

As EV adoption accelerates under incentives like FAME-III, clearer guidelines and system updates for traffic police could prevent such mismatches. Haryana Police has not yet commented on this specific case.