India’s E20 petrol rollout pushes buyers towards alternative-fuel vehicles
BENGALURU: Consu mer hesitation over India’s transition to E20 petrol is boosting demand for vehicles powered by alternative fuels, the country’s auto dealers’ body said on Thursday, with sales of CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles within “striking distance” of petrol models in July. Alternative-fuel passenger vehicles accounted for 40.59percent of total sales last month, just 1.09 percentage…
India’s transition to E20 petrol is prompting consumers to consider alternative-fuel vehicles more seriously, according to the country’s auto dealers’ body, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Reports released on Thursday revealed that sales of CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles are closing in on petrol models, with the latter accounting for 41.68% of total sales in July, just 1.09 percentage points ahead of 40.59% for alternative-fuel vehicles.
E20 petrol, containing 20% ethanol, has been rolled out nationwide, replacing the E10 blend, amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government efforts to reduce expensive petroleum imports. FADA noted that consumer uncertainty regarding the transition to E20 is driving demand for greener alternatives. They also suggested that clearer communication about the E20 rollout could help persuade hesitant petrol-vehicle buyers.
Some consumers have criticized the higher ethanol blend, arguing that it negatively impacts fuel efficiency and vehicle performance, particularly in older models not built to accommodate E20 fuel.
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