The Indian Auto LPG Coalition has urged the government to include Auto LPG commercial vehicles in the proposed five-year vehicle age extension.
The industry body says cleaner mobility rules should be technology-neutral and based on emissions, safety and fitness standards.
Highlights
- MoRTH has proposed a five-year age extension for certain cleaner commercial vehicles.
- The proposal currently covers battery, hydrogen and natural gas-powered vehicles under the national permit regime.
- IAC wants Auto LPG-powered commercial vehicles to receive the same benefit.
- The coalition says eligibility should depend on fitness, safety and emission compliance.
- India has nearly 2,500 Auto LPG dispensing outlets, according to the industry body.
- More than 30 million Auto LPG vehicles are in use globally, IAC said.
The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has urged the government to include Auto LPG-powered commercial vehicles in the proposed five-year extension of the prescribed age limit for certain vehicles operating under the national permit system.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed extending the vehicle age limit by five years for battery-operated, hydrogen fuel-based and natural gas-powered commercial vehicles covered under the national permit regime.
While welcoming the government’s proposal, the IAC has argued that Auto LPG vehicles meeting prescribed safety, fitness and emission standards should also be eligible for the benefit.
IAC Director General Suyash Gupta said cleaner mobility policy should not be selective about technologies. He said Auto LPG is an established and relatively affordable transport fuel that can help reduce vehicular emissions, including through the conversion of suitable existing petrol vehicles.
According to the coalition, cleaner technologies should be evaluated on factors including emissions performance, safety, affordability, availability of infrastructure and their contribution to India’s energy security.
However, the IAC said any extension in the permitted age of Auto LPG vehicles should remain subject to mandatory fitness, emission, safety and other regulatory requirements.
The demand comes as India works towards cleaner road transportation while millions of conventional vehicles continue to operate. Although electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles are expected to play an increasingly important role, replacing India’s existing vehicle fleet could take several years.
The coalition believes converting suitable petrol vehicles to Auto LPG could provide another route to reducing emissions without requiring owners to immediately replace their vehicles.
According to IAC, more than 30 million Auto LPG vehicles are operating globally, supported by nearly 80,000 refuelling stations. India has close to 2,500 Auto LPG dispensing outlets along with an established vehicle-conversion ecosystem.
The industry body said including compliant Auto LPG vehicles in the age-extension framework could help commercial fleet operators get more value from their existing vehicles while contributing to emission reduction.
The IAC has asked the government to add Auto LPG-powered commercial vehicles to the proposed national-permit framework before the amendments are finalised.
