India should ban the use of diesel-powered four-wheeler vehicles by 2027 in cities with over a million people and polluted towns, and switch to electric and gas-fuelled vehicles to reduce emissions, according to a report by a panel formed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
India is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters globally and aims to produce 40% of its electricity from renewables to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. The Energy Transition Advisory Committee recommended that no diesel city buses should be added after 2024, and no city buses should be added after 2030 that are not electric. The report suggests that only electric-powered city delivery vehicles should be registered from 2024, and the use of gas-powered trucks and railways for the movement of cargo should be increased.
The report also recommends that long-distance buses should be electrically powered in the long term, with gas used as a transition fuel for 10-15 years. India aims to raise the share of gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030 from 6.2% currently. To achieve this, the panel recommends building underground gas storage equivalent to two months’ demand, using depleted oil and gas fields, salt caverns and aquifers, with the participation of foreign gas-producing companies. The report suggests targeted incentives should be extended beyond March 31 to promote the use of electric vehicles.