Auto LPG industry pushes for vehicle age extension parity with green fuels

The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) has urged the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to extend a proposed age limit relaxation to Auto LPG-powered commercial vehicles, arguing that clean fuel policy should not favour certain technologies over others.

The MoRTH had announced plans to extend the prescribed vehicle age limit by five years for battery-operated, hydrogen fuel-cell and natural gas-driven commercial vehicles operating under the national permit regime. The IAC welcomed this initiative but contended that Auto LPG vehicles meeting prescribed safety, fitness and emission standards deserve equivalent treatment.

"Cleaner mobility policy cannot be technology-selective," the coalition stated, pointing to Auto LPG as a proven, readily available and cost-effective transport fuel capable of reducing vehicular emissions. The group argued that extending the age limit to LPG vehicles would support India's broader sustainability objectives while leveraging existing infrastructure.

The proposed extension aims to provide relief to commercial vehicle operators by allowing older vehicles to remain operational if they use alternative fuels, reducing the burden of fleet modernisation. Including Auto LPG in the scheme would broaden access to this benefit across the transport sector.