Auto LPG

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has urged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to include Auto LPG (Autogas) in an ongoing TERI-led study assessing vehicular fuel options in India's energy transition. In a formal representation to PNGRB, the coalition sought inclusion of Auto LPG in the study titled 'Comparative Assessment of Vehicular Fuels in India's Energy Transition -- A Multi-Dimensional Approach', commissioned by the regulator to provide evidence-based inputs to policymakers on transport decarbonisation, air-quality improvement and sustainable mobility as India moves towards its net-zero targets. In a statement detailing its representation, IAC said the exclusion of Auto LPG would lead to an incomplete and potentially biased assessment, particularly given the study's focus on gaseous fuels and the participation of city gas distribution entities. The coalition said Auto LPG is a proven, immediately deployable transition fuel with a significant operational

The sales of LPG cars have seen a steep decline of 82 per cent in the past five years. In the financial year 2023 (FY23), only 23,618 units were registered as against 1,28,144 units registered in FY19

The government is largely ignoring this least polluting fuel in favour of diesel, petrol and electric vehicles

LPG used for domestic purposes is taxed at 5 per cent and high incidence of tax for its usage in automobiles provides an incentive for illegal diversion

Compared to the immediate preceding quarter (January to March 2017), the sales have increased 7.3%

Shine JacobThe auto LPG sector in India closed the fiscal year 2016-17 with an encouraging sales growth of 4.9 per cent over the last fiscal, owing to a drop in prices.Meanwhile, the sales volume growth was about 8.18 per cent in March 2017 as against March 2016. The auto LPG sales in India grew to 346 TMT in 2016-17 as against 330 TMT in 2015-16. The factors that helped the industry to achieve this growth are the reduction in auto LPG price by leading oil companies such as Indian Oil, HPCL, and BPCL since October 2016 making the fuel about 50 per cent cheaper than petrol. Following this, the sales jumped by 16 per cent in the period between October 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016."There is no doubt that auto LPG is the fuel for the future, and that it is the solution to check the growing pollution levels in Indian cities. We are positive about the growth in sales volume achieved this fiscal as it reflects the growing penetration of the fuel across the country. However, we are hopeful .

Cutting taxes on commercial LPG key to prevent diversion of domestic fuel for commercial use