Petrol vehicles move to slow lane in India
Mumbai: Petrol is losing its grip on India's car market, with sales coming under pressure in some of the country's biggest automobile markets as buyers increasingly look beyond conventional fuel.Across Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, petrol cars are losing ground even as CNG, hybrids and electric vehicles gain momentum, while diesel is seeing renewed interest in some markets. Adding to the shift is growing consumer anxiety over E20 petrol. Industry executives said concerns about mileage, compatibility and long-term ownership are increasingly featuring in purchase decisions.But carmakers caution that E20 alone cannot explain the pressure on petrol. The bigger shift, they said, is that consumers now have more alternatives, with the economics and availability of these powertrains making them increasingly credible choices.The shift is therefore not simply from petrol to electric vehicles. CNG is attracting buyers seeking lower running costs, while hybrids ...