IBNS-CMEDIA: Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said petrol and diesel vehicles have no long-term future, urging the automobile industry to accelerate the shift towards cleaner and alternative fuels.
Speaking at the Busworld India Conclave 2026, Gadkari said fossil fuels create serious challenges due to import dependence and environmental concerns.
Push for EVs, hydrogen, ethanol
Nitin Gadkari highlighted multiple alternatives, including electric mobility, biofuels, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
He said the government has already launched pilot hydrogen mobility projects, with companies such as Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra participating in hydrogen truck and bus trials.
“We are running hydrogen trucks and buses on 10 routes. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future,” he said.
Gadkari also stressed the importance of ethanol, saying India has a strong capacity to produce it from multiple feedstocks, while flex-fuel engines are already under development and E20 fuel adoption is underway.
Bus safety rules tightened
The minister also focused on public transport safety, saying bus registrations must now be uploaded on the Vahan Portal along with physical and video approvals, replacing the earlier self-certification system for manufacturers.
He urged bus body makers and OEMs to prioritise quality, safety, and passenger comfort over cost-cutting.
According to Gadkari, demand for electric buses could touch 1.5 lakh units over the next three years, while current annual manufacturing capacity stands at around 70,000 buses.
