Latest news with #IndianAutoLPGCoalition
Time of India
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Indian Auto LPG Coalition urges push for clean fuel policy
As World Environment Day nears, the Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has reiterated its appeal to the government to expedite clean fuel policies. The coalition has highlighted Auto LPG's role as a viable alternative to reduce vehicular emissions , which remain a major source of air pollution in Indian cities. With over 33 crore vehicles running on petrol and diesel, the IAC stressed that vehicular emissions continue to be a significant contributor to air pollution. Auto LPG, which powers around 2.4 million vehicles in India and over 27 million globally, is being positioned as a low-emission alternative requiring minimal infrastructure changes. 'India stands at a fundamental crossroads in its battle against air pollution and climate change,' said Suyash Gupta, Director General of the Indian Auto LPG Coalition. 'With over 33 crore petrol and diesel vehicles on our roads, an outright ban or phase-out is simply not feasible in the short term. By incentivising and streamlining retrofitment to Auto LPG, we can convert millions of vehicles into clean, low-emission alternatives almost overnight.' He added that Auto LPG can offer operational cost savings and reductions in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions compared to conventional fuels. Policy support and retrofitment appeal The IAC has urged policymakers to prioritise clean fuel solutions and support large-scale retrofitment initiatives . It has also called for the inclusion of Auto LPG in India's clean fuel narrative and urged OEMs to offer more Auto LPG variants. Additionally, the coalition has asked the government to lower the GST on conversion kits from 28% to 5% to make retrofitting more accessible. Citing international examples, the coalition noted that countries such as Ukraine, Poland, Korea, and Russia have successfully integrated Auto LPG into their transport systems with supportive policy measures. The coalition's statement comes amid reports that the government may consider phasing out pure petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR. Given the scale of the current vehicle fleet, the IAC argues that retrofitting existing vehicles with Auto LPG offers a practical and timely solution. 'This World Environment Day, it's crucial for policymakers to champion clean fuel solutions and support large-scale retrofitment initiatives that can make our cities cleaner, safer, and more sustainable,' Gupta added.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
IAC flags absence of Autogas vehicle production in India, calls for policy push and lower GST
New Delhi: The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has raised concerns over the absence of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) production of Autogas vehicles in India, even as eight of the world's top 10 automakers offer such models in global markets. The appeal comes amid continuing air quality challenges in Indian cities and the country's need for alternative clean transportation solutions. Globally, around 28.3 million Autogas vehicles are in use and supported by nearly 82,000 refueling stations. IAC pointed out that countries such as Russia, Turkey, Korea, Poland, and Ukraine have successfully integrated Autogas into their transportation systems through supportive policies. 'Globally, Autogas is a proven and readily available solution for cleaner transportation. Many countries are using clean fuel to drive sustainable mobility and tackle rising urban pollution. Transitioning to Autogas represents a practical step towards reducing emissions, especially in regions where a sudden shift to electric vehicles (EVs) could strain the energy grid. Converting a vehicle to run on Autogas is significantly more affordable than purchasing a new electric vehicle,' said Mr. Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition. According to IAC, India currently operates around 33 crore petrol and diesel vehicles, contributing significantly to urban air pollution. The coalition has called for the use of existing Autogas technology as a transitional measure for those unable to afford electric vehicles in the near term. Referring to recent media coverage about a health-focused tech entrepreneur cancelling a podcast in Mumbai due to poor air quality, Gupta said, 'The severity of India's air pollution crisis is underscored by recent events, such as tech millionaire Bryan Johnson reportedly cutting short his appearance on Nikhil Kamath's podcast in Mumbai due to poor air quality. Johnson, known for his health focus, found the indoor AQI of 130 and PM2.5 levels of 75 µg/m³ – equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes in 24 hours – unbearable, even with air purifiers. The average resident of India faces a reduction in life expectancy of 5.3 years due to particulate air pollution.' The coalition has also recommended lowering the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Autogas conversion kits from 28 per cent to 5 per cent . The aim is to enhance affordability and incentivize adoption among vehicle owners, particularly in urban areas. IAC underlined the importance of OEM participation in producing factory-fitted Autogas vehicles in India, noting that such models would offer better performance and safety, thereby boosting consumer confidence in the alternative fuel option. 'Autogas is a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to conventional fuels, significantly reducing emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) compared to gasoline and diesel. It is often cheaper than these fuels, allowing consumers to save on fuel costs while utilizing existing distribution networks, which reduces infrastructure investment needs. Many vehicles can be converted to run on both Autogas and gasoline, offering flexibility,' the IAC noted. The coalition urged both the government and the automotive industry to recognize Autogas's potential in supporting India's clean mobility goals, reducing emissions, and building sustainable urban transport systems.
