Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Even as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is rising sharply across the country and the city, there has been no negative impact on the traditional petrol and diesel market. The Prime Minister himself appealed for fuel austerity, but no immediate effect is visible. Demand for petrol and diesel in the city remains as before. Whenever a tanker arrives, it sells out within a single day.
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City sells millions of litres daily
According to the Petroleum Dealers Association, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city sees average daily sales of 3 lakh litres of petrol and 2.5 to 2.75 lakh litres of diesel a combined daily consumption of 5 to 6 lakh litres of fuel. Vehicle owners continue using petrol and diesel vehicles as usual. Even as EVs arrive on roads, fuel consumption has not declined.
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Supply from companies remains limited
While market demand for petrol and diesel is strong, supply from companies is currently somewhat limited or disrupted. Although full stock is not being received as per demand, whatever stock becomes available sells out within a few hours or within 24 hours. Petrol pump operators noted that despite supply constraints, customer demand has not dropped. Diesel supply is currently lower than petrol, leading to queues of cars at some pumps.
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Demand 'status quo' despite EV push
Neither the Prime Minister's appeal nor the rising use of EVs has made any difference to overall petrol-diesel consumption. Customer demand remains unchanged in fact, supply from companies is currently not running at full capacity. The city easily sells around 3 lakh litres of petrol and 2.5 lakh litres of diesel every day.
- Aqeel Abbas, president, Petroleum Dealers Association
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4.5 lakh litres of fuel consumed daily
The city's daily consumption stands at 2 lakh 66 thousand litres of diesel and 1 lakh 83 thousand litres of petrol a combined requirement of 4 lakh 49 thousand litres per day. There has been no change in this demand over the past ten days. However, if the number of EVs increases in the future, an impact on fuel demand is certainly possible.
-Pravin Fulari, district supply officer