TVS Motor and IndianOil join forces to drive sustainable last‑mile LPG cylinder distribution across India

• The first batch of 65 out of a total 260 Montra Electric Rhino 5538 EV trucks was flagged off from Montra Electric's Manesar manufacturing facility, marking the commencement of a phased deployment across key industrial applications and strategic freight corridors.
• The deployment will help establish one of India's longest electrified freight corridors, marking a significant milestone in the country's transition towards zero-emission heavy commercial transportation.

TVS Motor Company, part of TVS Venu, is a leading global manufacturer of two and three-wheelers, today announced a strategic partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil), India's largest integrated energy company, to strengthen last-mile LPG cylinder distribution through sustainable commercial mobility solutions.

As part of the initiative, TVS Motor Company will work with IndianOil network of over 13,000 LPG distributors across the country, enabling the adoption of the TVS King Kargo HD vehicles for doorstep cylinder deliveries. This marks an important step towards enabling cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective LPG cylinder distribution while supporting India's transition to green mobility.

Bringing together two trusted and respected organisations in their respective industries, the partnership combines TVS Motor's expertise in commercial mobility with IndianOil 's extensive distributor network to advance efficient and sustainable LPG cylinder distribution across India. The deployment of the TVS King Kargo HD range for LPG cylinder distribution is expected to reduce carbon emissions while offering IndianOil distributors a lower total cost of ownership. The initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency and profitability, while reinforcing both organisations' commitment to sustainability and the Government of India's clean mobility vision.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajat Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Mobility, TVS Motor Company, said, "At TVS Motor Company, we are focused on building mobility solutions that make everyday business more efficient and sustainable. Our partnership with IndianOil Corporation Limited brings together the strength of two trusted organisations to transform last-mile LPG cylinder distribution across the country. Through the TVS King Kargo range, we are enabling distributors with reliable, high-performance vehicles that help reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and support cleaner operations. This collaboration is another step towards making sustainable mobility practical, accessible, and impactful for businesses across India.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. V. C. Asokan, ED, SR & SH-TNSO, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, said, "Indian Oil has consistently been at the forefront of delivering energy solutions that power the nation's growth while embracing sustainability. This initiative represents an important step towards modernizing our LPG distribution ecosystem through sustainable mobility solutions. The induction of electric cargo vehicles will help improve fleet productivity, lower operating costs for our distributors, and contribute towards reducing carbon emissions. We believe this engagement will demonstrate how strategic industry partnerships can accelerate India's transition towards greener and more sustainable logistics."

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by senior leadership from both organisations in Coimbatore, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership to advance sustainable commercial mobility. The collaboration will commence with the first phase of vehicle deliveries to Indian Oil distributors, supporting greener, more efficient TVS Motor Company, part of TVS Venu, is a leading global manufacturer of two and three-wheelers, today announced a strategic partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil), India's largest integrated energy company, to strengthen last-mile LPG cylinder distribution through sustainable commercial mobility solutions.

As part of the initiative, TVS Motor Company will work with IndianOil network of over 13,000 LPG distributors across the country, enabling the adoption of the TVS King Kargo HD vehicles for doorstep cylinder deliveries. This marks an important step towards enabling cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective LPG cylinder distribution while supporting India's transition to green mobility.









Bringing together two trusted and respected organisations in their respective industries, the partnership combines TVS Motor's expertise in commercial mobility with IndianOil 's extensive distributor network to advance efficient and sustainable LPG cylinder distribution across India. The deployment of the TVS King Kargo HD range for LPG cylinder distribution is expected to reduce carbon emissions while offering IndianOil distributors a lower total cost of ownership. The initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency and profitability, while reinforcing both organisations' commitment to sustainability and the Government of India's clean mobility vision.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajat Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Mobility, TVS Motor Company, said, "At TVS Motor Company, we are focused on building mobility solutions that make everyday business more efficient and sustainable. Our partnership with IndianOil Corporation Limited brings together the strength of two trusted organisations to transform last-mile LPG cylinder distribution across the country. Through the TVS King Kargo range, we are enabling distributors with reliable, high-performance vehicles that help reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and support cleaner operations. This collaboration is another step towards making sustainable mobility practical, accessible, and impactful for businesses across India.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. V. C. Asokan, ED, SR & SH-TNSO, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, said, "Indian Oil has consistently been at the forefront of delivering energy solutions that power the nation's growth while embracing sustainability. This initiative represents an important step towards modernizing our LPG distribution ecosystem through sustainable mobility solutions. The induction of electric cargo vehicles will help improve fleet productivity, lower operating costs for our distributors, and contribute towards reducing carbon emissions. We believe this engagement will demonstrate how strategic industry partnerships can accelerate India's transition towards greener and more sustainable logistics."

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by senior leadership from both organisations in Coimbatore, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership to advance sustainable commercial mobility. The collaboration will commence with the first phase of vehicle deliveries to Indian Oil distributors, supporting greener, more efficient last-mile LPG distribution across India.

The TVS King Kargo HD platforms combine superior power with advanced technology, offering several segment-first and best-in-class features. Designed for commercial applications, the platforms provide reliable and efficient solutions for last-mile cargo transportation. LPG distribution across India.

The TVS King Kargo HD platforms combine superior power with advanced technology, offering several segment-first and best-in-class features. Designed for commercial applications, the platforms provide reliable and efficient solutions for last-mile cargo transportation.

The Rising Frequency of Extreme Weather Events Underline the Need for Carbon Emission Control: Curtailing the Use of Liquid Fuels in Transport Must Be a Top Policy Priority

• With the latest hike in petrol and diesel price in Delhi, this is the right time to make a switch towards the cleaner fuel
• Extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent in recent times
• India had the dubious distinction of suffering the highest loss of lives in a single climate change-driven event last year
• This came out in an international report titled Counting the cost 2020: A year of climate breakdown that was published in December 2020
• Switching to auto LPG from existing liquid fuels is one potent way to deal with vehicular pollution, a principal contributor to climate change
• In addition to scrappage policy and Green tax, there is an instant need to ensure mass conversion of private vehicles suitable for cleaner and cheaper gaseous fuels such as auto LPG

New Delhi, 11th August 2021: With extreme weather events becoming more frequent the world over, including in India, the urgency to address climate change issues and global warming has never been greater. India in particular has been at the receiving end of these recurring extreme weather conditions. From unexpected and untimely torrential rains to floods to landslides to cyclones, the country has been continually ravaged by a spate of extreme weather events in recent times. Now with the onset of the unlock phases post-second Covid wave and the consequent return of private vehicles back on Indian roads, vehicular pollution, one major contributor to climate change is set to not only test people’s breathing organs but also further upset the already faltering weather cycles in the country. One of the ways to stem this vehicular pollution known for a heavy carbon footprint is to curtail the traditional liquid fuels of petrol and diesel and opt for cleaner alternatives such as auto LPG. Even the newly appointed Cabinet Minister for Petroleum, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri would have a goal to address the pressing issue of air pollution in the urban areas, making sufficient use of cleaner energy to fight severe weather conditions.

With Delhi in the north, registering record temperatures and rainfall, to Bengal and Odisha suffering devastating cyclones and calamitous floods in the east in Assam, to Maharashtra witnessing both record-breaking droughts and floods in the west, to Hyderabad experiencing record rainfall in 24 hours, and Kerala enduring deadly landslides in the south, there is no part of this country which has been immune to these extreme weather events.

Alarmed by these recurring extreme weather events, Indian Auto LPG Coalition or IAC, the apex body of Auto LPG stakeholders in India has drawn the government’s attention towards the issue suggesting that the mass adoption of auto LPG replacing existing liquid fuels, to be one potent countermeasure towards controlling carbon emissions and thereby moderating the extreme weather phenomena.

“Extreme situations demand extreme and instant measures. With extreme weather conditions becoming an everyday reality impacting millions of Indians regularly now, we must hold the bull by its horns. And a part of the solution lies in addressing the vehicular pollution part of climate change with utmost urgency. For years, the liquid fuels of petrol and diesel have caused immense damage to health and the environment. At a time when cleaner and cheaper alternatives such as auto LPG are readily available, the policy persistence with petrol and diesel is simply inexplicable.

Further, the policy optimism on electric vehicles, something which is technologically and financially still decades away – is misplaced and premature. With the most recent emission tests confirming that the tailpipe emissions from auto LPG are even lesser than BS-VI compliant petrol, the government should not waste any time in giving a policy push to mass adoption of auto LPG. Remember, there are nearly 300 million vehicles, including two-wheelers plying there on Indian roads. While the current scrappage policy and the Green tax must be appreciated, the government needs to do more and do it quickly. In fact, the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events impacting the country must be treated as a due warning. And so the government right away needs to introduce policy incentives such as reducing GST on conversion kits along with subsidy support which would go a long way in ensuring mass conversion of existing vehicles into those that could be used on cleaner alternative fuels. The resultant reduction in air pollution would definitely help to a great extent in stemming the tide of extreme weather events that we have witnessed in the country and beyond in the recent past,” said Mr. Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition.

“A credible report by a London-based international relief and the humanitarian agency has revealed that India suffered the highest loss of lives in a single event globally on account of climate change-driven events last year. This is ominous enough. On an equally grim note, the same report not only described cyclone Amphan to be the costliest cyclone of the year but also triggered the biggest displacement due to an extreme weather event anywhere in the world in 2020. These are dire signs and the authorities must take note of these,” further added Mr. Gupta.

About IAC:

Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) is the nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India. Members of the Coalition include the Oil Sector PSUs, Private Auto LPG marketers, Kit Suppliers, and Equipment Manufacturers. In addition, the Coalition works closely with the World LPG Association and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

IAC is also a member of “Central Motor Vehicle Rules - Technical Standing Committee” (CMVR-TSC) & “Standing Committee on Emission Legislation” (SCOE), TED26 (Bureau of Indian Standards), Government of India.

For Yrs Urban India Continue to Breathe Toxic Air, Incentivising Vehicle Conversions to Clean Fuels An Immediate Solution until EV Become Commercially Viable

What about our immediately available clean air solutions?

In absence of immediately available clean air options, urban India will continue to breathe toxic air for years

The lack of urgency to respond to air pollution crisis is causing irreparable harm to the health of millions of Indians

Rolling out clean gaseous fuels such as Auto LPG can bring about an immediate difference in air quality of several Indian cities

Incentivising vehicle conversions to clean gaseous fuels can be an immediate solution until Electric Vehicles become commercially viable

New Delhi : As poor air quality coupled with hazardous smog continues to perpetually choke the capital and other Indian cities, lack of urgency to respond is both frustrating and appalling. With an overwhelming policy thrust on EVs and a complete dearth of focus on immediate clean air solutions, millions of Indians are likely to continue breathing toxic air for years.

As we observe National Pollution Control Day, it is pertinent to note that by banking totally on long term solutions like the EVs, India is missing out on low hanging fruits that can help bring about an immediate difference in air quality. Clean gaseous fuels such as Auto LPG are one such under-utilised solution that can bring about immense benefits to urban air quality by controlling hazardous vehicular tailpipe emissions.

Indian Auto LPG Coalition, the apex body of Auto LPG suppliers in the country, is underlining the need for the government to incentivise vehicle conversions to Auto LPG to be able to leverage an immediate air quality benefit.

"Even though the annual stubble burning process impacts Delhi’s air quality most seriously at the onset of winters, truth is that residents of the capital breathe toxic air for most part of the year. Hazardous vehicular emissions continue to be a major source of poor air quality in urban India. Yet, the fact that policymakers do not display any urgency in addressing the above and focus only on long-term deployment of EVs is frustrating. Lack of use of immediate clean energy solutions such as Auto LPG implies that millions of people have no hope of breathing clean air any time in the near future,” said Mr. Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition.

With a bulk of Delhi’s and most Indian cities’ air pollution woes emanating from the transport sector, it is important that well calibrated near and long term measures are initiated to address this problem. The capital and other polluted Indian cities need to shift a substantial part of their private vehicles to cleaner fuels like Auto LPG in the short term until EVs become widely viable. Much like the capital undertook a major transformation drive by converting its DTC buses fleet to CNG 20 years back, another similar transformation drive is needed on personal vehicles and cars.

Tailpipe emissions resulting from vehicles include oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2) as well as particulate matter.

“We already have readily available and clean alternative fuels that can help us achieve significant gain in air quality in a short span of time. With much lower emissions of not only carbon but also nitrogen oxides and particulate matters, Auto LPG is such a readily available alternative to petrol and diesel. What we need is a clear policy tilt towards clean alternative fuels and a plan to incentivise vehicle conversions to Auto LPG. The government must do this by subsidising conversion costs, reducing GST on Auto LPG as well as on Auto LPG/CNG conversion kits to encourage use of the eco-friendly fuel", added Mr Gupta.

A policy thrust towards cleaner fuels will also push OEMs towards investing in more Auto LPG variants, offering greater options for consumers.

Auto LPG is the third most widely used automotive fuel used globally after petrol and diesel. It has almost 50% lesser PM emissions than CNG and Petrol and 80% lower PM emissions than Diesel. Vehicles using Auto LPG as fuel also emit much lower CO2, making Auto LPG one of the most eco-friendly fuels on the block. Also, LPG has been classified by United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC) for having a global warming potential of zero, implying that is not a greenhouse gas.

About IAC:

Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) is the nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India. Members of the Coalition include the Oil Sector PSUs, Private Auto LPG marketers, Kit Suppliers and Equipment Manufacturers. The Coalition works closely with the World LPG Association and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

IAC is also a member of “Central Motor Vehicle Rules - Technical Standing Committee” (CMVR-TSC) & “Standing Committee on Emission Legislation” (SCOE), TED26 (Bureau of Indian Standards), Government of India.

Almost 97% Households Now have Access to LPG Cylinders through PMUY: MoPNG

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) which was launched in May 2016 to provide clean cooking fuel (LPG connection) to women in rural households has benefited 97.4% households in the last 5 years. The scheme aimed to reach 8 crore households by 31 March 2020 however the government has been successful in achieving this well in advance.

The biggest challenge now is to encourage beneficiaries to ensure optimum usage of LPG said Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas at the workshop organized by MicroSave Consulting (MSC) on Achievements of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) today.

Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas delivering key note address at the workshop organized by MicroSave Consulting (MSC) on Achievements of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

The indoor pollution generated inside the households due to burning of polluting fuels such as firewood dung and coal for cooking causes many respiratory disorders and conditions among women such as pneumonia lung cancer and stroke among others. The impact of smoke is more severe in the case of children. PMUY is originally designed by taking into account this polluting fuel-smoke-health nexus and provides 50% subsidy towards the cost of new LPG connection and first refill.

While congratulating all women beneficiaries of PMUY for attaining the target of reaching 8 Crore beneficiaries seven months before the deadline Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan said, I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this scheme and would like to thank 8 crore women who believed in us and trusted us. I would urge women to use LPG cylinders for cooking purposes and give away polluting fuels to reduce their and their family exposure to harmful smoke and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Smoke can cause irreversible damage to foetus which has a high social and financial cost to the family and the society.

We are working to ensure energy justice for all Indians. Energy affordability sustainability efficiency security. LPG should be the catalyst of socio economic change in the country. I would like to congratulate MicroSave Consulting for organizing this event and bringing up the topic of women empowerment on the occasion of Women Day.

Speaking at the session Graham Wright Group Managing Director MicroSave Consulting (MSC) said that PMUY has made an extraordinary achievement by reaching 80 million households which now have access to significant forms of cooking. He added that PMUY has differentiated itself from other DBT schemes through redistribution of the savings (elimination of duplicates and Give it Up campaign) precise targeting and faster implementation. All of these integrated efforts have led to the estimated savings of US$ 9 billion to the exchequer. As a result many other countries are learning and adopting the PMUY model of LPG subsidy.

The discussions at the workshop first panel on Key Lessons and perspectives from PMUY highlighted that approximately 15%-20% beneficiaries may not be using the LPG at all in spite of getting a connection due to multiple barriers such as affordability accessibility and behavioral issues. Many of the poor households are dependent on seasonal income and hence there is a mismatch between income and payment cycle of refill of LPG cylinders. The expert panelists proposed to leverage the SHGs to provide micro-loans to women beneficiaries of PMUY to purchase the refill of LPG cylinder.

More than 60% PMUY households especially in rural areas don;t receive the home delivery of LPG connections and in absence of a personal vehicle households especially women find it difficult to travel long distances to the LPG dealers with the heavy load of LPG cylinders. The experts urged the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to come up with an alternate model to LPG cylinders delivery in rural areas. They also added that behavioral biases such as better taste of food cooked on firewood and less awareness about womens health also affects the uptake of PMUY in many cases. They further proposed that the innovative use of digital and mobile technology could help in enhancing the affordability (digital finance) and accessibility (operating the connection online) of LPG cylinders among rural women. The first panel had senior officials from MoPNG Indian Oil TERI and GSMA.

The workshop second panel was focused on the impact of PMUY on the environment and the health outcomes of women and have senior representatives from Centre for Catalyzing Change Institute of Economic Growth Government Medical College and Hospital Chandigarh Jhpiego and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). The panelists mentioned that PMUY has helped cut the greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the smoke generated by burning the polluting fuels. The medial practitioners and the public health experts highlighted that the PMUY has been able to improve the surrounding environment and health condition of the poor women and they are now much less prone to get any respiratory tract infections and smoke-induced blindness. The panelists added that there is a need to conduct more rigorous studies to understand the multidimensional impact of PMUY on environment and health.

Speaking at the closing ceremony Manoj Sharma Managing Director MicroSave Consulting (MSC) mentioned that the PMUY is a game-changer scheme of Government of India that has laid the foundation of DBT in the country. He added that the government may consider increasing the subsidy support in PMUY to make the refill of LPG cylinders more affordable.

The workshop was also attended by PMUY women beneficiaries LPG dealers policymakers officials from OMCs think-tanks and the private sector among others.