0 months ago
Auto LPG industry urges national retrofit policy for used cars
Many cars in India run on petrol and diesel, and these cars make the air dirty, especially in big cities.
Lots of people in India buy used cars every year, and more than one used car is sold for every new car.
An industry group called the Indian Auto LPG Coalition says this is a big chance to make the air cleaner.
The group wants the government to make a plan to change older cars so they can run on a special gas called Auto LPG.
Auto LPG costs about 40 percent less than petrol for the same distance, which saves drivers money.
Changing a car to run on Auto LPG costs about 30,000 rupees, which is much cheaper than buying an electric car.
Cars that run on LPG also produce much less of the dirty smoke that can hurt people's lungs.
The group says this can clean up the air while electric and hydrogen cars are still being built and improved.
Almost six million used cars are sold in India every year, and that number is expected to keep growing.
The coalition believes a special government rule could help millions of people breathe cleaner air.
The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) urged the government to adopt a time-bound national retrofit policy to convert in-use petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG.
India's used car sales are approaching 6 million vehicles a year, with more than one used car changing hands for every new car sold.
Pre-owned vehicle volumes are projected to rise from about 4.6 million units in 2023 to over 10 million by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 12-13 per cent.
Auto LPG is roughly 40-45 per cent cheaper than petrol on a per-kilometre running-cost basis, with conversion costs of about Rs 30,000 per vehicle.
LPG-powered vehicles can deliver around 50 per cent lower carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbon emissions than petrol vehicles, along with significantly lower nitrogen oxide emissions.
The policy is aimed at cutting vehicular pollution in hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other non-attainment cities while electrification and hydrogen solutions scale up.
- Who
- The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), an industry body whose Director General is Suyash Gupta.
- What
- Called on the government to adopt a time-bound national retrofit policy to convert in-use petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG.
- Where
- India, particularly pollution hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other non-attainment cities.
- When
- Wednesday, when the industry body made its announcement.
- Why
- To reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality using a cheaper, cleaner fuel while longer-term solutions like electrification and hydrogen scale up.
Key facts
- Organization
- Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC)
- Demand
- Time-bound national retrofit policy for Auto LPG conversion of used vehicles
- Annual used car sales
- Nearly 6 million
- Used car market forecast
- 4.6 million units in 2023 to over 10 million by 2030
- Market growth rate
- 12-13% compound annual growth rate
- Fuel cost saving
- Auto LPG 40-45% cheaper than petrol per kilometre
- Conversion cost
- About Rs 30,000 per vehicle
- Emission reduction
- ~50% lower carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbons vs petrol
Quotes
Suyash Gupta
Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition
“"By leveraging a proven fuel that is roughly 40 per cent cheaper than petrol and delivers significantly lower particulate, hydrocarbon and NOx emissions, India can quickly cut pollution from vehicles currently on the road and deliver immediate health and air‑quality benefits for millions, even as longer‑term pathways such as electrification and hydrogen continue to build scale,"”
thehansindia.com




