Will Diesel Cars Be Banned in India By 2027?

Air pollution has emerged as a concern for bodies at both state and national levels. India is currently home to many growing urban areas. As the economy expands and the number of vehicles increases, air pollution is expected to increase in the coming years. In a bid to curb this growing threat of air pollution, the Energy Transition Advisory Committee has recommended banning all diesel vehicles by 2027.

 

The government is considering applying this ban to vehicles in certain cities - mostly in those with a pollution density of more than one million people. Aside from new vehicle sales, the ban would also cover vehicles older than ten years. And it might include petrol-run cars as well. This is going to be done in hopes of enforcing the electric vehicle policy in India.

 

It has long been known that diesel cars emit more harmful emissions than petrol-powered ones. If you already own a diesel car or plan to acquire one, you should be informed of the possible ban and why it is being examined. Let's find out what will be the impact of diesel car ban, what the future of diesel cars in India will be, and what challenges the country will face in banning diesel vehicles.

 

What Will the Impact of the Diesel Car Ban Be in India?

According to internet sources, diesel contributes to two-fifths of refined fuel use in India, with 80 per cent of it used in the transportation sector. In 2013, diesel cars accounted for 48% of all passenger vehicle sales in the country. Back then, a litre of diesel cost significantly less than petrol, but there was a decrease in fuel prices in late 2014, and the price difference between the two fossil fuels lowered. According to a report, sales of diesel cars reduced, dropping them to lower than 20% of overall passenger vehicle sales in 2021-22.

 

According to automobile specialists, a fair number of challenges would come alongside a ban on diesel-powered vehicles in India. With an upgrade from BS IV to BS VI diesel engines in their vehicle, car manufacturers have begun making changes, keeping government regulations in mind. Experts think that this could be a wasteful investment if diesel vehicles are banned. Since diesel is commonly used in vehicles like trucks and buses, a diesel ban would lead to serious disruptions, as outlined in the report.

 

How Will the Diesel Car Ban Impact India?

At the moment, no final decisions have been made regarding the implementation of the ban.So, bringing an overall and sudden ban on diesel-powered vehicles will be a big challenge to the government. It's worth noting that it took Europe nearly a decade to adopt the Euro-6 emission standards fully, whereas India is close to implementing the BS-VI standards.

 

It would seem then that there shouldn’t be any need for sudden restrictions on diesel vehicles. Diesel-powered vehicles, in general, have cheaper operating expenses and better performance compared to petrol vehicles. So, implementing a ban on diesel cars would create serious financial problems for the majority of the population in India.

 

Why Would the Government Consider Banning Diesel Cars?

There are quite a few reasons why the government could consider banning diesel vehicles. Here are a few:

Environmental Reasons

Diesel vehicles are notorious when it comes to emitting pollutants. They create ground-level ozone, which is harmful to plants and crops. They are also largely responsible for nitrogen oxide emissions, which cause acid rain and affect soil quality and water in lakes. Not only this, but they also emit particulate matter (PM), which has been linked to asthma and has the potential to be lethal.

 

To Adopt Electric Vehicles

Though electric vehicles have been around for some time, they have recently gained a lot of attention. The government is speeding up the adoption of electric vehicles. The government has increased electric vehicle adoption by providing an electric vehicle policy and improving infrastructure. Electric vehicles will reduce India's crude oil imports and vehicle air pollution.

 

Diesel Is Less Costly

The price difference between petrol and diesel is used to encourage people to buy diesel cars. But the margin has been down in recent years, making petrol vehicles a better option. Diesel engines have become more expensive since their research and development costs have increased due to more stringent regulations.

 

What Challenges Would Surface If Diesel Cars Are Banned Before 2027?

First, let us highlight that the government has yet to accept the report's recommendations, and there is currently no ban on diesel automobiles.Despite the chaos, we analyse how the diesel ban will affect India, and here are the three reasons for such a drastic and maybe impossible approach

 

Difficulties for Diesel-Powered Vehicles

Diesel is used in most commercial vehicles, including small trucks, buses, and cabs. Diesel vehicles dominate mid- to large-size commercial vehicles despite a shift towards petrol, hybrid, and CNG. While diesel has become more affordable than petrol, diesel vehicles are more efficient and offer more advantages. Due to their long-distance use, these commercial vehicles offer considerable monthly savings. Diesel-powered vehicles provide power to enable commercial vehicles to move heavy loads in challenging driving conditions. Diesel-powered four-wheeler business trucks are the only way to transport important goods and services in remote, hilly places.

 

Infrastructure for Hybrid Cars and EVs

However, strong hybrids and electric cars may not replace diesel cars by 2027. Most car customers need more money to afford hybrid tech and EV infrastructure because they are expensive. Charging stations are widespread in big cities, but dependability is still an issue. Hybrid cars have better fuel efficiency than diesel cars, but they lack power (especially acceleration and pick-up).

 

Conclusion

The government's proposed diesel vehicle ban aims to reduce pollution by supporting alternative fuels, including electric vehicles. You might want to consider keeping an eye on the diesel vehicle ban if you plan on buying a diesel car since a car is usually a long-term investment. Invest in a car that you can use for years to come and insure it with a comprehensive policy for added protection against unwanted troubles.

 

FAQs

1. Is there a confirmed ban on diesel cars in India by 2027?

No, there is currently no confirmed ban on diesel cars in India. The government is considering a proposal, but a final decision is yet to be made.

 

2. Why might the government ban diesel cars?

Reducing air pollution, encouraging electric vehicle adoption, and potentially lowering costs associated with petrol vehicles due to recent price changes are the main reasons the government would consider a ban.

 

3. What are some of the challenges a diesel car ban would create?

Considering that India has a rather large diesel vehicle population, a sudden ban would be absolutely disruptive. Not to mention, it would pose challenges in terms of infrastructure readiness for electric vehicles and hybrids, which are seen as potential replacements.

 

4. Are there any alternatives to diesel cars in India?

Yes, there are alternatives such as petrol cars, hybrid cars, and electric vehicles. However, each has its own set of challenges and considerations, particularly related to infrastructure and cost.