The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) today announced the commencement of a landmark study titled “Comparative Assessment of Vehicular Fuels in India’s Energy Transition: A Multi-Dimensional Approach”. This initiative is a joint effort being conducted under the aegis of PNGRB by IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas, Gujarat Gas, Assam Gas, Green Gas, and the Association of CGD Entities (ACE). The study reflects the industry’s commitment to supporting India’s sustainable development through informed energy choices.
The onus to conduct the study has been entrusted upon TERI-The Energy and Resources Institute which is an independent, not-for-profit research organization advancing innovative solutions in energy, environment, climate change, and sustainable development. What sets this study apart is the fact that in order to make an informed decision as a policymaker, consumer, or industry stakeholder, a holistic assessment is necessary to understand the role of various fuels and technologies in India’s transport sector transition. This study would use a multi-criteria decision analysis framework that integrates technical, environmental, economic, social, and geopolitical considerations.
A Strategic Response to the Energy Transition The transport sector contributes 10% of India’s total GHG emissions, with road transport accounting for 87% of that share. As the Government of India aims to increase the share of natural gas in the energy mix to 15% by 2030, this study seeks to identify the optimal roles for CNG, LNG, and other fuels alongside electric mobility.
The main outcomes of the proposed study would include:
•A multi-dimensional comparison (across 5 indicators – Technical, Environmental, Economic, Social and Geo-political and various sub-indicators) of EVs, Natural gas-based vehicle, petrol & diesel vehicles
•Delineation of key criteria under which natural gas is relevant in the transportation sector
•Guidance for users to make an informed choice of selection
•Developing a weightage framework for fuels based on their emission profiles to support evidence-based promotion of cleaner fuels for incentivization and policy support
•Measures that may provide a level playing field for gas as a clean transition fuel in the transport sector
•Evaluation of green technologies in the context of ’emission reduction pathways’, in the short (2025-2030) and medium term (2030-2047)
