Report of Expert Committee on National Auto Fuel Policy and Vision 2025

The Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas (Chaired by Mr. Pralhad Joshi) submitted its report on the National Auto Fuel Policy on May 7, 2015. The objective of the Expert Committee was to draw a roadmap for the auto fuel quality till 2025.

• The earlier Auto Fuel Policy of 2003 aims at addressing issues of vehicular emissions and vehicular technologies by applying fuel quality standards.

Recommendations: In order to achieve the unified fuel norm, the Ministry should implement the less polluting Bharat Stage (BS)-IV quality of fuel standard across the country by 2017.

• The BS-VI quality of fuel standard should be implemented by 2020. All refineries to be upgraded in a phase wise manner to produce BS-IV quality of fuel.
• Levy a high Sulphur Cess on high polluting BS-III automotive fuels.
• A special fuel up-gradation Cess to be levied on all gasoline and diesel sold.
• It directs as fossil fuel reserves are depleting, the Ministry must assess the commercial viability of non-conventional fuels.
• The Ministry to give high priority to coverage of more areas under Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
• The establishment of a Centralised National Data Centre for collecting information regarding polluting vehicles is recommended.
• The constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee of Secretaries of the concerned Ministries is required.
• The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas impresses upon the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to implement the safety and emission performance of vehicles.
• Formulation of a Vehicle Retirement Policy will improve air quality. The Ministry should apply the provisions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to formulate an age limit for retirement of vehicles.