In India, owning a car remains a distant dream for many, especially given that the bottom 50% population earns just ₹71,163 annually, and only the top 10% have an average income of ₹13.5 lakh. For most middle-class families, purchasing a car is a major, one-time decision. However, Delhi's recent policy seems to push people towards repeated car purchases. As per a new directive, petrol and CNG vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years will no longer be allowed to refuel in Delhi. AI-based ANPR cameras at fuel stations will identify such vehicles, which may also be seized, with fines up to ₹10,000 for four-wheelers and ₹5,000 for two-wheelers. While the government claims this is an anti-pollution measure, critics argue it lacks nuance. Experts like Sushant Sareen highlight that emissions, not vehicle age, should be the deciding factor. Many old but well-maintained vehicles are less polluting than poorly maintained newer ones. Instead of tightening PUC certification rules, the government opted for a blanket ban, possibly to boost new vehicle sales and tax revenues.