Indian Auto LPG Coalition Seeks Govt Push For Retrofit Policy To Tackle Rising Emissions

New Delhi, Aug 7 (KNN) The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has urged the government to introduce a dedicated, time-bound national retrofit policy to enable certified conversion of existing petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG (Autogas). 

The move, it said, could help reduce vehicular emissions amid the rapid expansion of India’s used car market.

Used Car Market Driving Emissions Concerns

India’s pre-owned car market is nearing 6 million annual sales and is projected to exceed 10 million units by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 12–13 per cent. Used vehicle transactions now outnumber new car sales, increasing the emissions burden, particularly in urban areas, ET reported, citing the coalition.

The IAC highlighted that converting a share of the existing internal combustion engine fleet to Auto LPG could offer an immediate and scalable solution to improve air quality, especially in pollution hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other non-attainment cities.

Suyash Gupta, Director General, IAC, said, “India's used car boom is redefining mobility access, but it is also amplifying the emissions burden on our already critically polluted cities. A robust retrofitment policy that prioritises the conversion of in-use petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG can help us confront the air pollution crisis in major hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other severely affected non-attainment cities,” as quoted by ET.

Cost and Environmental Benefits Highlighted

The coalition stated that Auto LPG offers both economic and environmental advantages. It estimates that the fuel is 40–45 per cent cheaper than petrol on a per-kilometre basis, while vehicle conversion costs are around Rs 30,000—significantly lower than transitioning to electric vehicles.

Citing industry and global studies, it noted that LPG-powered vehicles can emit about 50 per cent lower carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons compared to petrol vehicles, along with reduced nitrogen oxides, remaining within BS-VI emission norms.

Existing Infrastructure Seen as Advantage

The IAC pointed out that India’s widespread LPG distribution network could support a rapid scale-up of Auto LPG without requiring major additional infrastructure investments.

Call for Policy Alignment

The coalition emphasised that aligning retrofit regulations, fiscal incentives, and fuel policies with cleaner alternatives such as Auto LPG would help ensure that the growth of the used vehicle market does not lead to higher pollution levels.

(KNN Bureau)