The buyers and manufacturers of diesel vehicles were jostled after a recent report surfaced putting a blanket ban on diesel-powered cars and other four-wheelers in India by 2027. The report affected particularly manufacturers of the big SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, and Mahindra Scorpio N, where diesel is the lifeline.
As per reports, a panel formed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recommended a ban on the use of diesel-powered four-wheel vehicles by 2027 in cities with a population of more than 1 million. It also recommended a transition to electric and gas-fuelled vehicles.
The Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC), headed by former petroleum secretary Tarun Kapoor, has also recommended that city transport should be a mix of Metro trains and electric buses by 2030.
Since all kinds of rumours were spreading, Petroleum Ministry later tweeted to clear the air. It disclosed that the proposal is put forward by a panel set up by the government to curb emissions and is futuristic. This is still in discussion and has not yet been accepted. It wrote, "India is committed to net zero by 2070. ETAC has made wide-ranging and forward-looking recommendations for the shift to low-carbon energy. ETAC has a futuristic outlook."
As of today, the government is legally allowing diesel-driven four-wheelers to be made and sold in our country. Buyers are also legally allowed to purchase and use these vehicles, and the government is collecting taxes and fees on the sale and registration of these diesel vehicles too.
While diesel being completely phased out is not a hoax, it still has some life left in it. It will ultimately be put to rest, at least from the small cars segment as the Maruti Suzuki did the same way back in 2020. But a complete ban by 2027 is highly unlikely, given the sheer size of issues to be resolved at hand. This will provide a sigh of relief to the buyers as well as the industry for now, but we must gear up for some major changes somewhere down the line.