Government to Introduce Fuel Efficiency Rating to Automobiles

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dr. M. Veerappa Moily said that the government has the plan to introduce fuel efficiency ratings for automobiles. Through this government is encouraging the purchase of the more fuel efficient vehicles which will result in lowering the overall fuel consumption of the country.



Fuel economy is very important in today's economic condition that less the fuel you use, more the money you save. The way of driving and maintenance also affect the fuel economy of the vehicle



Dr. Moily, while inaugurating Petroleum Conservation Fortnight-2013 said "The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) should draw a proposal for rating automobiles according to their fuel efficiency”.

The PCRA is an organization under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which propagates the message of fuel (Oil and Gas) conservation throughout the year. The new proposal would be similar to the star ratings given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to electrical appliances. The BEE is also an arm of power ministry that encourages customers to buy more energy-efficient appliances. The BEE rates home appliances like refrigerator, fans and air conditioners on the basis of energy consumption.



"We should submit energy audit report on various sectors to the people every year. There should be proper energy budgeting by everyone utilizing energy," he added.

Dr. Moily pointed out that everyone should be not only concerned about today but posterity or tomorrow.

As the number of huge fuel guzzlers vehicles increased enormously, the oil ministry had forwarded a proposal to the Finance ministry to impose additional tax on the diesel vehicles. But the automobile lobby is against this proposal.



It is expected that by 2030, 96 percent of the growth will be from developing countries. Where India and China alone will account 50 percent.

MoS (PNG) P. Lakshmi underlined the efficient use of non-renewable natural resources like oil and gas, which are import dependent. She sketched out various steps taken by her Ministry for enhancing exploration and production efforts both in India and abroad for greater self-sufficiency in the oil and gas sector. There is also a plan to conduct awareness programs among people based on the need of energy consumption.



Dr. Moily said that energy conservation plays a vital role in the developing economy like India. By 2020, oil ministry would try to reduce energy import dependency from current 80% to 50%. It will get reduced by 75% in 2025 and by 2030 India will become a self sufficient nation.