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New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that petrol and diesel vehicles have no future in the long term, urging the automobile industry to shift towards alternative and eco-friendly fuels.

Speaking at the BusWorld India Conclave 2026, the minister highlighted the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote cleaner energy sources. He called on companies to prioritise the production of vehicles powered by biofuels, CNG, LNG and electricity.

Gadkari said India imports fossil fuels worth about Rs 22 lakh crore every year, which places a burden on the economy and contributes significantly to environmental pollution. He added that hydrogen is likely to be a key fuel in the future and stressed the need for more research in this area. He also noted that trial runs of hydrogen-powered buses and trucks are already underway, with companies such as Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra involved in these efforts.

Focus on safety

The minister also emphasised passenger safety and said self-certification alone will no longer be sufficient for bus registration. Manufacturers will now be required to upload details on the Vahan portal along with physical inspection and video approval.

He urged bus body builders and manufacturers to prioritise quality, safety and comfort instead of focusing only on reducing costs.

Gadkari further said that the demand for electric buses in the country is expected to reach 1.5 lakh units in the next three years. However, the current annual production capacity stands at around 70,000 buses.