Nitin Gadkari urges auto companies to discourage diesel engines

The automotive industry should discourage sales of diesel vehicles and instead focus on promoting ones powered by alternate fuels, Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari said at the 61st Annual Convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

“I appeal to OEMs to discourage diesel vehicle sales and instead promote alternate fuels. I am happy to know that SIAM is working with IIT-Bombay for research on EVs. We have a pool of quality engineers who are questioning conventional methods”, Gadkari said, adding a partnership between the auto sector and government institutes can help develop new models and utilise green hydrogen as a fuel.

He reiterated the auto industry needs to look at the commercialisation of new tech. “We are looking at gradual ethanol blending of 20% by 2025. I am looking forward to e20-compatible vehicles without compromising the environment and am committed to delivering flex-engine vehicles. We need to accept the successful example of Brazil in ethanol – this will benefit farmers, the environment and the country”, he informed.