Different Types of Fuels Used in Vehicles in India

You may have heard about gasoline, LPG, CNG and more. These are the types of fuels that help you continue your long drive.  Fuelling your vehicle with the correct oil ensures your vehicle's optimum performance. If you want to learn more about which fuel is a perfect match for your car, this article will answer all your queries.

Here is a brief overview of 10 different types of fuels used in vehicles. Have a look!

Ethanol is produced through the processing of sugars, which are obtained from crops such as corn, sugarcane and others that are regarded as biomass. It can be mixed with gasoline, particularly to reduce emissions.

The blend density of the ethanol has been raised from 10% to 12%, and the blend density prospects are set at 20% by 2025. This move aligns with trends such as the search for renewable energy, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and searching for solutions to the increasing costs of conventional fuels. 

Pros

• It breaks down into natural compounds and is renewable, thus reducing the use of fossil fuels.

• It reduces the amount of air pollution that results from burning fuels.

• Ethanol has a higher octane than gasoline and helps improve the performance of the engine and knocking.

• Ethanol is less damaging since it is self-degradable.

Cons

• Ethanol could affect cars that use pre-ethanol blend designs.

• It may lead to corrosion problems in older vehicles.

Ideal for: It is primarily used in racing cars. Also, it is mixed with gasoline in smaller quantities for use in existing on-road vehicles.

Price per litre: The Government has raised the price of ethanol based on C-heavy molasses to ₹49.50 per litre. The cost of ethanol derived from B-heavy molasses is now ₹61.50 per litre as of 2024. This increase is part of the government's efforts to encourage ethanol production and blending as a sustainable alternative to petrol and diesel.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, can be synthesised from natural gas, coal, and biomass. It is being considered as a biofuel due to the prospects of the reduced emission of greenhouse gases and fossil fuel independence.

Pros

• Methanol has a high octane number, which brings better combustion, thus contributing to better engine performance.

• Methanol leads to reduced emission of hazardous pollutants and greenhouse gases in relation to gasoline.

• Methanol, being biodegradable, has a significantly lower environmental impact than other fuels.

Cons

• Methanol has significantly less energy as compared to gasoline.

• It is flammable, toxic, and corrosive. Hence it requires special attention when storing.

Ideal for: Methanol serves as a viable alternative to diesel for heavy-duty vehicles. It can be incorporated into the gasoline or used as a separate fuel in specific engines set up for its use.

Price per litre: As of 2024, methanol prices in India range from ₹32 to ₹35 per litre. This pricing strategy indicates promoting methanol as a feasible alternative fuel, thereby shifting towards more sustainable energy resources.

Hydrogen fuel is used in two main types of vehicles: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) and hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles (HICEVs). In HFCVs, hydrogen is utilised in a fuel cell to generate electricity, while in HICEVs, the hydrogen is combusted in an internal combustion engine.

Pros

• HFCVs release zero greenhouse gases or air pollutants into the air besides water vapour.

• Fuel cells are used as a power source compared to internal combustion engines, and thus, energy is utilised in the process more efficiently.

• One of the great benefits of HFCVs is that they are significantly less noisy than the combustion engine type.

Cons

• The challenges of  Hydrogen fuel are the costs of hydrogen storage and generation as well as inefficient mechanisms.

• Refuelling station networks are not as advanced as the station networks of conventional fuels.

• Storage of hydrogen is more expensive than that of other fuels because it requires high-pressure tanks and dedicated transport.

Ideal for: These vehicles are ideal for zero-emission transportation systems and solutions. HICEVs can be a potential mode of Eco-friendly transportation in areas where support facilities for fuel cells are not fully established.

Price per litre: The cost per kilogram of hydrogen fuel in India is presently ₹450-₹500. Efforts are being made to make hydrogen an economically viable fuel in the near future.

Plug-in hybrids rely primarily on the electric battery as the power source. After it runs down, the internal combustion engine takes over. Conventional hybrids, or non-plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. 

Pros 

• Hybrid cars reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• High fuel efficiency is achievable when using electric power.

Cons

• Maintenance and repair can be more complex and expensive.

• Battery performance may degrade over time, necessitating replacement.

Ideal for: Hybrids can be the best option for drivers seeking to reduce fuel costs and emissions without reliance on external charging.

Price per litre: Depends on the fuel.

Solar-powered vehicles harness the power of sunlight and convert it into electricity by using photovoltaic cells, which in turn drive an electric motor. These vehicles can either function entirely on solar power or use solar panels to assist in recharging their batteries. 

Pros

• Solar-powered vehicles are highly eco-friendly as they produce no harmful emissions during operation.

• These vehicles reduce reliance on fossil fuels. 

• Once solar panels are installed, they require minimal upkeep, which leads to reduced operational expenses. 

Cons

• The amount of energy that solar panels generate may constrain the vehicle's range and power. 

• Solar panels can be less dependable as they are heavily reliant on weather conditions.

• Storing solar energy for use when sunlight is not available could be a challenge.

Ideal for: Solar-powered vehicles are ideal for areas with plenty of sunlight and for situations where zero emissions are essential, such as in research facilities and eco-tourism.

Price per Watt of Solar Power: In India, the approximate cost of installing solar power is between ₹40 and ₹50 per watt, including the expenses for inverters, solar panels, and batteries. 

An electric motor operates an electric vehicle instead of fuel-generating internal combustion. This is a significant replacement of fuel-powered automobiles to address the problems of increasing pollution, global warming, etc. 

As of 2021, the Delhi government will install 500 electric charging points across 100 locations under the EV policy. Not only Delhi, but the Union government announced rebates on taxes two years ago for individuals buying electric vehicles.

Pros:

• It offers higher efficiency, up to 62%, compared to fuel-powered automobiles.
• Zero emissions and reduces pollution.
• It provides optimum driving performance along with low maintenance costs.
• While keeping in mind the Indian population’s dependency on fuel, electric vehicles will save 10% of CO2 emissions compared to petrol.

Cons:

Take a look at the following disadvantages:

• It covers a limited travel distance.
• Electric vehicles take approximately 30 minutes to get fully charged.
• It is comparatively more expensive than fuel-powered vehicles.

Ideal for: It is usually ideal for areas where an adequate amount of charging stations are available. India plans to set 15,000 charging stations for electric vehicles.

Price: The price of electric cars range from 13.99 lakh to ₹2.04 crores. At the same time, The cost to charge your EV at stations ranges from ₹200 to ₹400.