India plans to ban diesel cars by 2027 in push for Electric Vehicles
Delhi : An oil ministry panel has recommended that India limit the use of diesel-powered four-wheelers by 2027 and convert to electric and gas-powered cars in cities with more than a million residents and dirty towns to reduce pollution.
In order to reach its 2070 net zero objective, India, one of the countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions, plans to generate 40% of its power from renewable sources. The group stated in a study that "by 2030, no city buses should be added that are not electric...diesel buses for city transport should not be added from 2024 onwards."
It is unclear if the petroleum ministry would ask the cabinet for permission to put the advice of the committee's Energy Transition Advisory Board—led by former oil secretary Tarun Kapoor—into action. According to the research, the government should explore "targeted extension" of incentives provided under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles programme (FAME) beyond March 31 in order to increase the usage of electric vehicles throughout the nation.
About two-fifths of refined fuel consumed in India is diesel, with the transportation sector using 80% of it. The committees recommended limiting new registrations to electric-only city delivery vehicles beginning in 2024 and recommending a greater reliance on railroads and gas-powered trucks for the transportation of freight. In two to three years, the whole train network should be electrified.
According to the report, long-distance buses in India would eventually need to run on electricity, however petrol may be used as a bridge fuel for 10 to 15 years. India wants to increase the proportion of petrol in its energy mix from 6.2% to 15% by 2030.
According to the panel, given that demand is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.78% between 2020 and 2050, India should think about creating underground gas storage that is comparable to two months' worth of demand. It recommended constructing gas storage facilities using depleted oil and gas fields, salt caverns, and aquifers with the assistance of international gas-producing firms.
