TERI Unveils Landmark Study on India’s Multi-Fuel Vehicular Energy Transition

TERI Unveils Landmark Study on India’s Multi-Fuel Vehicular Energy Transition

Rodali Baruah

The Energy Sector of India is a complex and considerable area that has undergone tremendous changes with time. Even now, with the rise in global concerns over transition and security, the importance of this sector is fast-growing. Keeping in mind the diverse needs of energy by India in all its different fields,

The Energy and Resources Institute, under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulation Board, underwent a study on the same and released its findings of “Comparative Assessment of Vehicular Fuels in India’s Energy Transition: A Multi-Dimensional Approach” at the Hotel Taj Mahal, New Delhi, on 30th September. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, industry experts, and academics to discuss one of the most pressing questions facing India today: What fuels should power our transportation future?

One of the key takeaways of the event was that India needs a unique decarbonisation pathway. Unlike many developed nations, India needs to balance climate commitments with economic growth, energy security, affordability, and equitable access to mobility. As highlighted during the presentation, India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and its Net Zero 2070 target as declared by the Prime Minister in the COP26 at Glasgow  require solutions that are tailored to Indian realities rather than a one shot approach.

The session was graced by Mr. Tarun Kapoor, advisor to the Prime Minister of India. Members of  The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board(PNCRB), Indraprastha Gas Limited(IGL), and Commission for Air Quality Management(CAQM) also graced the event with their presence and outputs. Director General of TERI, Dr. Vibha Dhawan provided the Welcome Address, and the findings were officially presented by Dr. Rita Mathur, Director of Energy Assessment and Modelling, TERI.

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The discussions emphasised that there is no single “silver bullet” fuel for India. Technological limitations, geopolitical uncertainties, infrastructure readiness, and socio-economic considerations all influence the transition. Instead, a diverse mix of cleaner fuels and technologies appears to be the most practical path forward.

The transport sector received particular attention in the study. With road transport accounting for the vast majority of passenger and freight movement in India, the challenge becomes immense and heavy. The presentation examined multiple factors affecting fuel adoption, including affordability, charging and refuelling infrastructure, vehicle ownership patterns, emissions, policy incentives, and local air quality impacts.

What stood out was the complexity of the issue. The study adopted a multi-dimensional framework, and it also recognised that environmental benefits alone cannot determine the best fuel choice. Energy security, economic feasibility, social implications, technological maturity, and infrastructure availability are equally important considerations.

The event identified important research gaps, particularly the need for more India-specific comparative studies and decision-making frameworks for different vehicle categories and regions.

The session offered a valuable reminder that India’s energy transition is not simply about replacing one fuel with another. It is about building a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive mobility ecosystem that can meet the needs of a rapidly developing nation while addressing the challenges of climate change.

The research centered on six regular fuels and different vehicles to find out a multi-fuel combination as solution. The evaluation of two-wheeler vehicle technologies reveals distinct trade-offs between Petrol, CNG, and Electric options across technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. Petrol vehicles offer superior technical maturity and strong consumer acceptance, but they perform poorly regarding environmental impact and long-term economic efficiency.

In contrast, CNG options provide a more balanced environmental and geopolitical profile, yet they are hindered by low user acceptance and limited technical readiness. Electric two-wheelers lead the market in economic performance and are gaining rapid social acceptance, though they still face notable technical limitations and geopolitical supply chain constraints. Ultimately, because no single fuel source excels across all categories, these technologies must play complementary roles within the current transportation ecosystem.

The survey on “Mobility Preferences and Clean Fuel Transition Across Cities in India” examined transportation patterns and fuel preferences across diverse urban and semi-urban locations, including Delhi, Surat, Lucknow, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Dhanbad, Chamba, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Mumbai Port. Covering multiple vehicle segments such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger and commercial four-wheelers, buses, light commercial vehicles, and heavy vehicles, the study assessed the adoption potential of various fuel options including petrol, diesel, CNG, LNG, and electric vehicles (EVs). The findings highlighted that fuel choices are influenced by factors such as affordability, infrastructure availability, operational requirements, and environmental concerns, emphasizing the need for region-specific and vehicle-specific strategies to support India’s clean fuel transition.

The findings are a ray of hope and can turn revolutionary if they find proper implementation. The policymakers and different resource persons will play a key role in giving emphasis to the practical aspects of this important study that tends to provide solutions to the eternal demands of the energy sector of a developing country like India. 

On a personal note, being able to attend the event and witness the unfurling of a new age of energy has turned me hopeful. Events like these need more involvement of the new generation for them to understand the realities of the country.

RODALI BARUAH, Mahabahu, New Delhi, Rodalibaruah239@gmail.com 

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