Latest Fuel News

Recent fuel, transport, and policy updates presented in a clear and scan-friendly format.

There's a fork in the road to clean energy

Hybrids run on electricity generated by burning fossil fuels. This situation will not change as we move up the hybrid technology tree. EVs, too, run on electricity produced in India principally from fossil fuels. However, transition to renewables makes EVs progressively less polluting. At some point in the future, EVs will be far cleaner than hybrids. So, do the two categories deserve the same fiscal encouragement?

Oil set for weekly loss as markets worry about demand

Oil prices rose on concerns of high interest rates impacting fuel demand. Federal Reserve's interest rate policy, US crude oil inventories, and statements from Fed Chair Jerome Powell influenced market sentiment. Analysts anticipate market shifts as OPEC+ considers extending production cuts and reports emerge of oil overproduction by Russia.

Sponsored

What is 'Net Zero', anyway? A short history of a monumental concept

The G7 leaders recently committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with the Albanese government in Australia introducing legislation to create a Net Zero Economy Authority to drive investment in clean energy. The concept of net zero, aiming to balance carbon emissions with carbon sinks, emerged from early climate negotiations in the 1990s. It gained traction in the late 2000s as a metric for assessing mitigation efforts and became a key goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, challenges remain in ensuring fairness and equity between developed and developing nations, and in avoiding greenwashing by corporations.

India's use of crude tankers to export diesel slows in May

Indian refiners reduce diesel shipments to Europe in May due to rising inventories and weak price spreads. April saw high exports, mostly from Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery, using Aframax and Suezmax vessels. Cost factors and ample European supply prompt refiners to shift focus back to Asia, exacerbating regional supply glut.

For fleet operators, revenue growth to double to 9-11% in FY25: Report

CRISIL Ratings predicts that road transport fleet operators' revenue growth will double to 9-11 per cent this fiscal, driven by better domestic demand and tepid exports. Operating margins are expected to improve 75-100 basis points due to better fleet utilization and steady fuel costs. Operators may moderate capital expenditure for fleet expansion, following strong additions in the past three fiscal years.

Sponsored

Believe it or not: Even in Saudi Arabia, renewable power is cheaper than fossil fuels

Saudi Arabia has signed deals to purchase electricity from two large-scale wind farms at record-low prices, cheaper than natural gas plants. The kingdom aims to shift rapidly to a larger share of renewables in the power grid, with the goal of generating half of its power from clean sources by 2030. The projects, developed by Japan's Marubeni Corp, benefit from state backing and favorable wind conditions in the country, making them more cost-effective than fossil fuel alternatives. The country's move towards renewable energy is part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependence.

Auto component industry to double investment to $7 billion; Craftsman Automation could give 19% return

Auto component industry to double investment to $7 billion; Craftsman Automation could give 19% return. Premiumization trend drives shift to 'premium' vehicles. UV mix in PVs at 60% in FY24. 125cc+ segment in motorcycles at 52% in FY24. Social media influences rural trends. Finance accessibility boosts premiumization. India targets net zero emissions by 2070, promoting EVs and biofuels.

India, Egypt top destinations for Russian seaborne fuel oil, VGO exports in April, LSEG data shows

Crude oil Import: In April, India and Egypt were key destinations for Russian seaborne fuel oil and vacuum gasoil exports, with a total 10% decrease in exports due to maintenance and outages. The EU's embargo redirected Russian exports to Asia. Shipments to India rose while those to China decreased. Egypt saw increased fuel oil supplies for power generation.

Sponsored

Diesel, petrol export revenues dip 20% to $33 bn in 2023-24

India's exports of diesel and petrol fell by a fifth year-on-year to $33 billion in 2023-24 due to declining international prices. Diesel generated the largest share of export revenues for Indian refiners, accounting for $22 billion of the $48 billion earned by exports of refined fuels. The war in Ukraine and Western sanctions on Russia caused fuel prices to rise, boosting export earnings for Indian refiners.

Delhi man's viral video raises concerns over petrol pump fraud

Cases of fraud at petrol pumps, including tampering with machine settings, have sparked outrage online. A recent viral video shows a Delhi man alleging fraud at a petrol pump in Sadiq Nagar. The post, shared on X, has garnered over 550k views, leading to calls for government action. Commenters shared their own experiences and called for stricter regulations and audits in the fuel industry. Netizens expressed outrage and concern over the incidents, highlighting the need for increased scrutiny of petrol pump operations.

Sponsored

Car sales & summer heat fuel petrol demand in April

Sales of petrol by state-run fuel retailers rose 12.3%, showed provisional data sourced from state-run companies. This is lower than the overall increase of 14% for the industry, indicating market share expansion for private players. Similarly, diesel sales by state-run companies fell 2.3% against an overall 1% rise for the industry in April. ATF and LPG sales by state-run companies expanded by 7% and 12%, respectively, in April.