Moily launches fuel conservation campaign for India

M. Veerappa Moily, India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said, “We as a nation have no choice but to conserve fuel to the best of our abilities or be prepared for harsh measures like steep price increase, if the need so arises.” Moily launched the Mega Petroleum Conservation Campaign at a national workshop on fuel conservation in the transport sector held in New Delhi.
He stated that with the ministry’s guidance, the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) has established benchmarks for LPG stoves and diesel pumps, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and other stakeholders. This will make it easier for consumers to find more fuel efficient appliances, thereby reducing consumption of LPG and diesel. These standards would be announced by BEE later this year.
Moily pointed out that a key strategy for fuel saving would be to introduce fuel economy standards for vehicles. A large number of countries have already set up mandatory standards for vehicles as a primary step towards fuel conservation. These include China, Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, and the nations of Europe. He stressed that implementing fuel economy standards for vehicles will not only help achieve substantial savings in fuel consumption but will also reduce CO2 emissions and other local pollutants.
He suggested ideas which include separate fuel economy standards for passenger and freight vehicles, and devising standards for other fueled appliances like diesel pumps, generator sets, and boilers/furnaces.
Moily said that there is no magic trick for decreasing petroleum use in transportation. “In order to reduce consumption further, an inclusive approach, combining strategies to increase fuel economy in all types of vehicles while providing desired service is necessary.”
“The expanding use of low-carbon fuels, including biofuels, as well as electricity and hydrogen are also feasible alternatives,” he added. Moily stated that PCRA, along with oil public sector undertakings (PSU), have been given targets of specific activities which would raise awareness among consumers on simple, daily tasks that can save fuel.
As part of this campaign, the ministry plans to undertake a large-scale media campaign including print, television, radio, cinema and websites, along with LPG clinics and driver training programs.
(October 3, 2013)