Planning your next 10-year car? Which fuel type should be future-proof for you?
If you are planning to buy a car but confused about the fuel type, here is a guidebook for you.
Here are some factors to consider regarding the fuel type while purchasing a new car.
Petrol
If you are looking for a petrol car, there are a vast number of options available in every price segment. The petrol cars usually come with the lowest upfront cost compared to other fuels. The availability of new turbocharged and direct injection technologies has increased the fuel efficiency of petrol cars significantly. Also, the availability of petrol pumps everywhere is another advantage for consumers buying a petrol car. However, with the ethanol blending in petrol, the petrol car owners may face decreasing fuel efficiency after a few years.
Also check these Cars
Find more Cars
Tata Nexon CNG 1199 cc
1199 cc CNG
CNG
₹ 8.90 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Tata Punch CNG 1199 cc
1199 cc CNG
CNG
₹ 7.30 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Honda City Hybrid 1498 cc
1498 cc Multiple
Multiple
₹ 20.85 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
UPCOMING Maruti Suzuki Swift Hybrid 1197 cc
1197 cc Petrol
Petrol
₹ 10 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
UPCOMING Honda Elevate EV
₹ 18 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Tata Curvv EV 55 kWh
55 kWh 502 km
502 km
₹ 17.49 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Diesel
Diesel cars are known for their great fuel economy and torquey drivability. However, buying a diesel car in the current scenario is like gambling due to the strict government rules, especially in the Delhi-NCR region. The reason behind this challenge for diesel cars is that they emit more pollutants into the environment. However, if you are not living in Delhi-NCR or in any metro cities, you can give it a shot. Also, people who are looking to buy a car for commercial purposes can opt for a diesel model.
Electric vehicle
Electric vehicles are increasingly becoming affordable in the Indian market with the reduction in GST on EVs. The EVs are finding an increasing level of popularity owing to their low per-kilometre running cost and low maintenance compared to ICE models. However, there are some practical issues like the range, availability of charging infrastructure outside major cities. Also, the high upfront cost of EVs is another major drawback of these vehicles. If you drive mostly in cities for commuting, buying an EV is justified, but if you are more of a person who hits highways frequently, avoid electric vehicles, at least at this point.
CNG
Petrol-CNG cars have been witnessing a rise in popularity in India over the last few years. The reasons behind this are the lower cost of CNG compared to petrol or diesel, higher fuel efficiency, lower emissions, etc. Also, the increasing number of CNG cars in the market, as well as the growing number of CNG refuelling stations, are fuelling the growth of this fuel type's share in the vehicular fleet. Owning a CNG car comes with its own challenges. A CNG car comes with compromised boot space, while the power generation is slightly lower than petrol models.
Hybrid
In India, there are multiple types of hybrid cars, including mild hybrids, strong hybrids and plug-in hybrids. The hybrid technology is like a bridge between the ICE and EV technologies. This technology is extremely fuel efficient, with around 10 kmpl advantage over petrol alternatives, especially the strong hybrids. These cars offer more power than the similar ICE option and emit fewer pollutants. However, they come with a high upfront cost.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India.
First Published Date:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Fear-mongering on ethanol-blended E20 petrol baseless: Oil Ministry
Amid the social media chatter about the impact of 20 per cent ethanol-blended E20 petrol on vehicles, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has stated that concerns over a drastic drop in fuel efficiency are misplaced. The ministry has also added that the E20 fuel, in fact, offers improved acceleration. The ministry also said that doping petrol with 20 per cent ethanol extracted from sugarcane or maize is a national programme aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, which is being sought to be derailed by some by fomenting fear and confusion. In its statement, the ministry has listed out the benefits of using E20 petrol and said that using such a fuel does not impact the validity of insurance of vehicles in India. "Some seek to derail it by fomenting fear and confusion in the minds of car owners by selectively picking information and creating a false narrative that insurance companies will not cover car damage due to the use of E20 fuels. This fear-mongering is totally baseless and has been clarified by an insurance company whose tweet screenshot was deliberately misinterpreted to create fear and confusion. Usage of E20 fuel has no impact on the validity of insurance of vehicles in India," the statement from the ministry said. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 2999.0 cc 2999.0 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 1.02 Cr Compare View Offers Lamborghini Urus Performante 3996 cc 3996 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 4.22 Cr Compare View Offers McLaren Artura 2993 cc 2993 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 5.10 Cr Compare View Offers UPCOMING Honda Elevate EV ₹ 18 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Audi New A3 1998.0 cc 1998.0 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 39 - 45 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra e20 NXT 15 kWh 15 kWh 140 km 140 km ₹ 6 - 8 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched India transitioned to E20 fuel. What's the concern? Over the last few days, there has been a growing chatter on social media about the impact of using E20 petrol on vehicles. Some people have been saying that using E20 petrol leads to at least a seven per cent drop in fuel efficiency. Responding to this, the ministry said that the critiques suggesting that E20 causes a drastic reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced. However, the ministry did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency. The social media posts have pointed out that the calorific value of ethanol is 29.7 as compared to 46.4 of petrol, and so the energy produced per litre is 65 per cent of petrol. Social media posts also cited the June 2021 Niti Aayog report to state that E20/E27 in E10 cars degrades the rubber and plastic components, corrodes metal, harms fuel systems, cuts mileage and may lead to the need for part upgrades. Earlier on August 4, the ministry said in a social media post, "Ethanol, being lower in energy density than petrol, results in a marginal decrease in mileage, estimated at 1-2 per cent for four-wheelers designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, and around 3–6 per cent in others." It also said, 'The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been marginal. For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise." It also stated that vehicle mileage is influenced by a variety of factors beyond just fuel type. "These include driving habits, maintenance practices such as oil changes and air filter cleanliness, tyre pressure and alignment, and even air conditioning load," the statement said. Further, the ministry said that concerns related to performance and mileage being raised now were anticipated as early as 2020 by the Government, and an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) of the NITI Aayog examined them at length. 'The use of E20 gives better acceleration, better ride quality and most importantly, lowered carbon emissions by approximately 30 per cent as compared to E10 fuel," said the ministry, further adding that ethanol has a higher-octane number of 108.5 compared to petrol's 84.4. "Vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration, which is a very important factor in city driving conditions. Additionally, ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency," it said. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date:
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court halts action against older diesel and petrol vehicles in Delhi-NCR
The Supreme Court has ordered that no coercive steps be taken against diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old in Delhi and the National Capital Region until further orders. The order came while hearing a Delhi government petition against a July 2025 directive of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which required fuel stations to stop supplying fuel to such vehicles and called for their scrapping in line with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 2999.0 cc 2999.0 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 1.02 Cr Compare View Offers Lamborghini Urus Performante 3996 cc 3996 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 4.22 Cr Compare View Offers McLaren Artura 2993 cc 2993 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 5.10 Cr Compare View Offers UPCOMING Honda Elevate EV ₹ 18 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Audi New A3 1998.0 cc 1998.0 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 39 - 45 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra e20 NXT 15 kWh 15 kWh 140 km 140 km ₹ 6 - 8 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Background The dispute traces back to 2015 when the National Green Tribunal banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi-NCR to fight air pollution. The Supreme Court upheld the order in 2018. In 2024, the Delhi government issued guidelines for handling end-of-life vehicles in public places. In July 2025, CAQM announced that from July 1, fuel stations in Delhi and some NCR districts would not supply fuel to these vehicles. Public backlash and delay After the July rollout, vehicle owners reported wrongful flagging and disruption to services. The Delhi government sought a delay, citing technical issues. On July 8, CAQM postponed enforcement in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad and Sonipat to November 1, 2025. Review petition On July 26, the Delhi government filed a review petition seeking changes to the 2018 order. It argued that since 2018, stricter emission monitoring, wider pollution testing, and BS-VI norms have come into effect, making an age-based ban unnecessary. The petition also called for a comprehensive scientific study by the Union Government and CAQM to determine whether the ban actually benefits the environment. In early August, RTI replies revealed that CAQM had not conducted new research before reimposing the ban this year. Court's interim relief During Tuesday's hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the petition. A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria issued notice to the Centre, returnable in four weeks. The court said no coercive steps should be taken in the meantime. The case raises the question of whether India should stick to age-based bans or adopt pollution-level testing for all vehicles. For now, the court's order gives temporary relief to affected vehicle owners ahead of the November deadline. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date:
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Economic Times
Renault Kiger facelift to launch on August 24
Synopsis Renault India is set to launch the facelifted Kiger on August 24, marking its first major update since 2021. The compact SUV will feature a new green paint option, updated B-pillar graphics, and revised lighting. Expected interior upgrades include a new touchscreen, refreshed upholstery, and potential safety enhancements like six airbags. Agencies Renault Kiger Renault India released the first teaser of the facelifted Kiger and confirmed that the compact SUV will be launched on August 24. The car is getting its first major update since its debut in 2021. The teaser reveals a new green paint option, fresh B-pillar graphics, and a smoked-out reverse light section. Shots suggest mild tweaks, including revised bumpers, updated lighting elements, and possibly new fog lamps. Renault has not announced regarding the cabin yet. However, as per reports, the update is expected to introduce a new floating touchscreen infotainment unit, refreshed upholstery, and a revised dashboard layout. Further, additions in features could include soft-touch materials and updated ambient lighting. Following the Triber's lead, the Kiger may also get six airbags as standard, along with other safety facelift will have the same engine and powertrain variants. These include a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol producing 72bhp and 96Nm of torque paired with a 5-speed manual or an AMT, and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol generating 100bhp and 160Nm of peak torque with 5-speed manual or CVT. Both are E20 fuel-ready. Renault currently provided dealer-fitted kits CNG priced at Rs 75,000 with 3 years of Kiger facelift will compete in against sub-4m SUVs like the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Toyota Taisor, Maruti Fronx, and Skoda Kylaq. The Kiger is currently priced between Rs 6.15 lakh and Rs 11.23 lakh (ex-showroom), the updated version is expected to see a slight increase in price.
