New Delhi, November 10, 2017
Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), the nodal body for Auto LPG in India, has demanded that vehicles running on LPG should be exempt from the odd-even rule like vehicles running on CNG. Emergency measures to mitigate vehicular pollution through road rationing arrangements like the odd-even scheme notified today by Delhi government need to be implemented with care, it said. These measures must be also augmented with lasting solutions aimed at promoting cleaner auto fuels. It is necessary for policymakers to walk the talk and incentivise adoption of environment-friendly fuels. With the sharp NGT comments today, the Delhi government has a unique opportunity to create such an ecosystem, encouraging people to adopt cleaner fuels.
“The odd-even road rationing scheme will send the right message if vehicles running on Auto LPG are also exempted just like CNG vehicles. It was probably an oversight on the part of the government to not to exempt Auto LPG vehicles last year when odd-even was rolled out. Apart from these, a well-thought strategy which results in lasting solutions for urban mobility and environmental protection has to be implemented. Here Auto LPG can play a very important role, apart from CNG,” said Suyash Gupta, Director General, (IAC).
Gupta further added saying that the government needs to remove bottlenecks for deeper penetration of cleaner fuels. Putting fuels like Auto LPG, CNG, and biofuels under five per cent GST, is essential in addition to Auto LPG and CNG vehicles being exempted from the proposed four-fold increase in parking fee as well.
Auto LPG emits up to 120 times lesser particulate emissions than diesel vehicles, 96 per cent lesser nitrogen dioxides (NO2) than diesel, 68 per cent lesser NO2 than petrol. Also, Auto LPG emits about 22 per cent lower carbon dioxide (CO2) than petrol.
Meanwhile, two-wheelers which pollute the most in terms of particulates could be encouraged to run on Auto LPG, which would show an immediate effect on the PM levels in Delhi air. There are over 2 million Auto LPG vehicles in the country and about 10,000 to 12,000 conversions from conventional fuel systems to Auto LPG is taking place every month. Other cities apart from Delhi with sizable vehicular numbers, have adopted Auto LPG very successfully. Bangalore is a case in point with over 1.2 lakh vehicles running on Auto LPG. Chennai, Kolkata also have had very good success to demonstrate.
“This number needs to go up significantly to show our clear resolve in addressing the air quality issue. Auto LPG costs about half of petrol and if there is a push by the government to popularise it, there would be an immediate palpable effect on air quality levels in Indian cities. Momentum is building up across India for the adoption of clean fuels, but a push is required by the government to popularize it further,” said Gupta.
Delhi government has announced that the odd-even scheme will be once again implemented in the national capital from November 13 to17 and could be further extended. The scheme was implemented on two occasions last winter season also, making Delhi the first city in India to do so. Many countries have switched to Auto LPG, including some in Asia, with very satisfactory results. In Turkey, 40 per cent of all private cars run on Auto LPG. Globally, Auto LPG is the third most commonly used automotive fuel after petrol and diesel. Over 26 million vehicles across 70 countries use Auto LPG to help clean their urban environment. Globally seven of the ten largest car manufacturers produce LPG powered cars.