New Delhi: In a blunt warning to India’s auto industry, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari declared that petrol and diesel vehicles are living on borrowed time, pressing manufacturers to urgently pivot toward cleaner, future-ready technologies.
Addressing the Busworld India Conclave 2025, Gadkari underscored that India’s deep reliance on crude oil imports—coupled with mounting environmental pressures—leaves the country with no option but to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.
Clean Fuels Take Centre Stage
Laying out a clear roadmap, Gadkari spotlighted electric mobility, ethanol blending, CNG, LNG, and green hydrogen as the pillars of India’s transport revolution. He revealed that hydrogen-powered mobility is no longer theoretical—pilot projects are already rolling across multiple routes.
Major players like Tata Motors, Volvo Group, Ashok Leyland, and Mahindra & Mahindra are testing hydrogen-fuel trucks and buses, signaling early industry alignment with the government’s vision.
“Hydrogen is the fuel of the future,” Gadkari asserted, noting that nearly 10 pilot corridors are already operational.
🚌Petrol, diesel have no future in India’s public transport, says Nitin Gadkari🚌
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— ET Auto (@ETAuto) April 28, 2026
At the same time, India’s ethanol push is gaining speed. With E20 (20% ethanol blending) becoming a policy priority, flex-fuel engines are moving into the mainstream. Expanded ethanol production—from sugarcane to maize and agri-residue—is not only cutting oil dependence but also boosting rural incomes.
Tougher Safety Rules for Buses
In a parallel move, Gadkari announced stricter safety norms for buses. Manufacturers will now be required to upload registration details, inspection records, and video proof on the government’s digital VAHAN portal, replacing the earlier self-certification regime.
He urged bus makers to shift focus from cost-cutting to quality engineering, passenger safety, and durability.
Electric Bus Boom Incoming
The minister predicted a massive surge in demand for electric buses, estimating that India could need up to 1.5 lakh e-buses within the next three years. With current production capacity hovering around 70,000 units annually, the industry is staring at a major scale-up challenge—and opportunity.
A Clear Message: Fossil Fuels on the Way Out
Gadkari’s message was unmistakable—India’s mobility future will be electric, ethanol-driven, and hydrogen-powered. For petrol and diesel, the countdown has already begun.
