Will India ban diesel vehicles soon? Here's what Centre has to say

New Delhi: The oil ministry said the government had yet to decide on a report from the energy transition committee that suggested banning the use of diesel-powered four-wheelers in cities with more than 10 lakh residents and switching to electric and gasoline-fueled vehicles by 2027.

The Energy transition committee led by former oil secretary Tarun Kapoor recommended in its report that internal combustion-powered motorcycles, scooters, and three-wheelers be phased out by 2035.

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 "Report of the Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC) has been received by the MoPNG. The Govt. of India is yet to accept ETAC report," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) said in a tweet.

There should be no diesel city buses addition in urban areas in about 10 years, the panel which submitted its report to the government in February this year, had said.

"India is committed to NetZero by 2070. ETAC has made wide-ranging and forward looking recommendations for a shift to LowCarbonEnergy. ETAC has a futuristic outlook," the ministry said. "The suggestions of ETAC relate to multiple ministries & a range of stakeholders including states. Consultations with various stakeholders on the report are yet to be initiated. No decision has yet been taken on ETAC recommendations.

"The panel had stated that EVs may be promoted as the optimal solution in preparing for phasing out internal combustion engine two/three-wheel vehicles by 2035. "In the intermediate period, policy support for ethanol-blended fuel with an increasing blend ratio needs to be given."

It called for four-wheelers, including passenger cars and taxis, to partially shift to electric and partially to ethanol-blended petrol with almost 50 percent share in each category.

"Diesel-driven 4-wheelers may be eliminated as soon as possible. Therefore, a ban on diesel-powered four-wheelers in all million-plus cities and all towns with high pollution has to be enforced in five years, i.e. by 2027," the report said.

For transitioning to EVs, CNG as a transition fuel (up to 10-15 years) has been emphasised.

"Vehicles with flex-fuel capabilities and hybrids may be promoted in the short and medium terms. This can be done through the application of fiscal tools like taxation," it said.

To boost electric vehicle use in the country, the report said the government should consider a "targeted extension" of incentives given under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles scheme (FAME) to beyond March 31.

The report recommended the use of only electric-powered city delivery vehicles for new registrations beginning in 2024 and recommended increasing the use of railways and gas-powered trucks for the transportation of freight.

These steps will help India achieve the goal of cutting its emissions to net zero by 2070.

Net zero, or becoming carbon neutral, means not adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

India is the world's fourth biggest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, the US and the EU. But its huge population means its emissions per capita are much lower than other major world economies. India emitted 1.9 tonnes of CO2 per head of population in 2019, compared with 15.5 tonnes for the US and 12.5 tonnes for Russia that year.

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In order to reach net zero, the government has set goals to reduce anticipated carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030 and to derive 50% of the country's energy from renewable sources by that year.

For transition, it is looking to boost the use of natural gas, which is less polluting than liquid fuels like diesel, in industries and automobiles. India aims to raise the share of natural gas in its energy mix to 15 percent by 2030 from 6.7 percent now.

The report said petrol and diesel demand in India is expected to peak in 2040 and decline post that due to the electrification of vehicles. LPG demand is expected to decline after 2030 due to the electrification of cooking and reduce to zero with 100 percent electrification by 2070.

The demand for aviation fuel will continue to grow at 3.5 percent CAGR but will be gradually substituted by sustainable fuel. Naphtha demand is expected to rise at 4.5 percent CAGR (2030-50) and 2.3 percent compound annual growth rate (2050-70) because of increasing demand for petrochemicals.

"The rate of transition in fossil fuel consumption is primarily dependent on the shift in the auto sector to EVs. With an aggressive transition to EVs due to policy mandates, there will be accelerated repurposing/closure of refineries for renewable energy/biofuel production and reduction of overall carbon footprint," it said.

(With PTI Inputs)

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