Auto LPG Coalition Seeks Inclusion in PNGRB Fuel Study

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition has submitted a representation to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board requesting that Auto LPG be included in a comprehensive study examining vehicular fuel options for India's energy transition.

The study, being conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute, is titled "Comparative Assessment of Vehicular Fuels in India's Energy Transition -- A Multi-Dimensional Approach." It aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers on various technology pathways for transport sector decarbonisation and sustainable mobility as India works toward its net-zero goals.

The coalition argues that excluding Auto LPG would result in an incomplete assessment, particularly given the study's focus on gaseous fuels and involvement of city gas distribution entities. The organization emphasizes that autogas represents a proven, immediately deployable transition fuel with substantial presence in India.

Globally, Auto LPG powers more than 30 million vehicles across nearly 80,000 refuelling stations. In India, millions of vehicles operate on Auto LPG, supported by approximately 2,500 dedicated dispensing outlets. The fuel leverages India's established LPG infrastructure, including systems developed through the Ujjwala Yojana program.

Suyash Gupta, Director General of the Indian Auto LPG Coalition, stated that the study should remain technology-neutral and reflective of real-world conditions. He emphasized that Auto LPG delivers measurable air-quality improvements in segments where electrification will take time, and excluding it risks overlooking an available, affordable solution aligned with India's transition goals.

The coalition has made three specific requests: explicit inclusion of Auto LPG in the study's comparative scenarios, stakeholder participation in consultations to ensure accurate representation of infrastructure and safety standards, and application of uniform evaluation criteria across all fuels covering emissions, economics, infrastructure readiness, and adoption potential.

The organization has offered to share operational data from the dispensing ecosystem, international benchmarks, safety references, and facilitate interactions with oil marketing companies, kit manufacturers, and dispensing station operators.

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition serves as the nodal body for promoting Auto LPG in India. Its members include oil sector public sector undertakings, private marketers, kit suppliers, and equipment manufacturers. The coalition collaborates with the World LPG Association and participates in various government committees related to vehicle standards and emissions legislation.