Petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged across major Indian cities on December 9, even as India’s roads witness a steady rise in electric vehicles, pointing to a long-term shift away from traditional fuels.

Petrol and diesel prices in key cities

New Delhi

  • Petrol: ₹94.77 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹87.67 per litre

Kolkata

  • Petrol: ₹105.41 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹92.02 per litre

Mumbai

  • Petrol: ₹103.50 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹90.03 per litre

Chennai

  • Petrol: ₹100.82 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹92.40 per litre

Bengaluru

  • Petrol: ₹102.92 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹90.99 per litre

Hyderabad

  • Petrol: ₹107.46 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹95.70 per litre

Thiruvananthapuram

  • Petrol: ₹107.48 per litre
  • Diesel: ₹96.48 per litre

Why EVs are gaining ground in India

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Parliament that the electric vehicle sector is expanding rapidly and could transform the country’s transport landscape.

Replying to a question by BJP MP PC Mody in the Lower House, he said 57 lakh EVs are already registered in India and sales accelerated in 2024-25.

He said, "Presently, 57 lakh EVs are registered in India. EV sales rates were faster in 2024-25. EV car sales increased by 20.8 per cent, while petrol and diesel sales increased by 4.2 per cent. Two-wheeler EVs increased by 33 per cent, and petrol and diesel by 14 per cent. Three-wheeler EVs increased by 18 per cent, and petrol and diesel by 6 per cent. India's EV market has the potential to reach Rs 20 lakh crore by 2030, with annual vehicle sales of Rs 1 crore, creating five crore new jobs. 400 plus start-ups have begun inthe electric two-wheeler market, increased by 21 per cent from 2024."

Cheaper batteries and domestic lithium boost prospects

Gadkari underlined that battery costs have fallen sharply, improving the affordability of electric vehicles.

He said, "Lithium is very important. When we made the decision for EVs, the cost of a lithium-ion battery was USD 150 per KiloWatt-hour, but now it has come down to USD 55 per KiloWatt-hour. This is really a good indication. Good news for our country is that Jammu and Kashmir has 6 million tonnes of lithium reserves, which is six per cent of the world's total. The mining ministry is working on that. We are also conducting research on lithium ion, sodium ion, aluminium ion, and zinc ion,".

Hydrogen and biofuels seen as the next big shift

The Union Minister said the government is focusing on hydrogen and biofuels to reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports.

He added, "Futuristic fuel is hydrogen. Today we are importers of energy, but I'm confident under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under Atmanirbhar Bharat, we will be exporters... The priority of the government is biofuel and alternative fuel, because our fossil fuel imports cost 22 lakh crore. It creates a lot of pollution. I myself am facing a problem in Delhi."