Context:

A panel formed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recommended a ban on the use of diesel-powered four-wheel vehicles by 2027 in cities with a population of more than 1 million, and instead transition to electric and gas-fuelled vehicles.

Other Recommendations:

• The Energy Transition Advisory Committee, 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.

Background of this proposal:

• The panel’s recommendations come in the wake of the government’s stated aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to produce 40% of its electricity from renewables as part of its 2070 net zero goal. 

Issue with the proposal:

• It is unclear how the proposal for a diesel ban on commercial vehicles will be implemented.
• The ban could still cause significant disruption even if it has a longer transition time.
• Converting diesel trucks to compressed natural gas (CNG) may be easier, but there are limitations such as lower carrying capacity and shorter distance range.
• Auto industry players argue that carmakers already comply with current emission norms and have invested heavily in transitioning their diesel fleet to meet BS-VI emission norms.

What is the reason people prefer diesel vehicles?

• The higher fuel economy of diesel engines over petrol.
• Diesel engines do not use high-voltage spark ignition (spark plugs), and thus use less fuel per kilometre.
• Also, diesel engines offer more torque (rotational or turning force), and are less likely to stall as they are controlled by a mechanical or electronic governor, thereby proving to be better for haulage.

Why are carmakers moving away from diesel?

• The higher compression ratio of diesel engines means there are increased emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
• The rollout of the new BS-VI emission norms from April 1, 2020, and the prohibitively high cost of upgrading diesel engines to meet the new standard. 

Upshot of this proposal:

• Most governments are moving towards phasing out diesel and petrol vehicles.
• India may face difficulties implementing a total ban on diesel due to heavy investments in transitioning to BS-VI and high diesel penetration in commercial vehicles.
• liquified Natural Gas (LNG) has the potential to replace diesel and CNG in heavy-duty vehicles, which could be a gamechanger for the Indian logistics market, alongside an EV push and leveraging hydrogen as a motive fuel.
• Automakers suggest that the government’s approach should be technology-agnostic, with stringent operational standards, and phasing out technologies that do not meet the standards rather than proposing a complete ban.                                                                    

News Source: The Indian Express