The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has urged the government to introduce a dedicated, time-bound national retrofit policy that would enable the safe and certified conversion of existing petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG (Autogas).
According to the coalition, such a policy could help transform India’s rapidly growing used car market into an effective tool for reducing vehicular emissions and improving air quality, particularly in pollution hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other non-attainment cities.
Used Car Market Growing Faster Than New Vehicle Sales
The recommendation comes as India’s pre-owned car market continues to expand at a faster pace than the new vehicle segment. Industry estimates suggest that used car sales could grow from around 4.6 million units in 2023 to more than 10 million units by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12–13%.
The coalition noted that more than one used vehicle is currently sold for every new car in India. With millions of internal combustion engine vehicles expected to remain on Indian roads for years, converting a portion of them to cleaner fuels could deliver faster emission reductions while electric vehicles and hydrogen technologies continue to scale.
Auto LPG Positioned as a Practical Clean-Fuel Alternative
IAC said Auto LPG offers both environmental and financial benefits for vehicle owners. The fuel is estimated to reduce running costs by around 40–45% compared to petrol on a per-kilometre basis, while vehicle conversion costs are approximately ₹30,000—significantly lower than the investment required to purchase an electric vehicle.
The coalition also highlighted that studies by industry and international organisations indicate LPG-powered vehicles can produce around 50% lower carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbon emissions than petrol vehicles. They also generate significantly lower nitrogen oxide emissions and operate well below BS-VI emission limits.
Existing LPG Infrastructure Can Support Expansion
According to IAC, India already has an extensive LPG distribution and retail network that can support faster adoption of Auto LPG with minimal additional infrastructure investment.
The coalition believes leveraging the existing fuel network would make the transition more practical and cost-effective while accelerating cleaner mobility adoption across the country.
Cleaner Mobility Through Retrofitting
IAC said aligning retrofit regulations, fiscal incentives, and fuel policies around Auto LPG could help ensure that the growth of India’s used car market contributes to cleaner and more affordable mobility instead of increasing pollution.
The coalition reiterated that a well-defined national retrofit framework would provide an immediate and scalable pathway to reduce emissions from vehicles already on Indian roads while improving urban air quality and delivering long-term public health benefits.
Leadership Comment
Commenting on this, Mr. Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, “India’s used car boom is redefining mobility access, but it is also amplifying the emissions burden on our already critically polluted cities. With pre-owned vehicle transactions already outpacing new car sales, India has a significant opportunity to improve urban air quality by accelerating the adoption of cleaner fuels within vehicles already in circulation. A robust retrofitment policy that prioritises the conversion of in-use petrol and diesel vehicles to Auto LPG can help us confront the air pollution crisis in major hotspots such as Delhi-NCR and other severely affected non-attainment cities. By leveraging a proven fuel that is roughly 40 per cent cheaper than petrol and delivers significantly lower particulate, hydrocarbon and NOx emissions, India can quickly cut pollution from vehicles currently on the road and deliver immediate health and air-quality benefits for millions, even as longer-term pathways such as electrification and hydrogen continue to build scale.”
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