To
Sameer Pandita
Director (The Bureau of Energy Efficiency)
Ministry of Power, Government of India
4th Floor, Sewa Bhawan

I am writing as a passenger vehicle owner and concerned citizen to express my strong support for maintaining and strengthening fuel efficiency norms for M1 category vehicles in India. From a consumer standpoint, these standards are essential to ensure that vehicles sold in the country are not only affordable to buy but also economical to own and environmentally responsible, especially as electric vehicles offer smoother, quieter drives with minimal maintenance needs and reduced brake and particulate emissions.

Over the past decade, rising fuel prices have placed a growing financial burden on Indian households. For most car owners, fuel costs form a major share of vehicle ownership expenses. Stringent fuel efficiency norms directly benefit consumers by reducing fuel consumption and saving money over the life of a vehicle. Weakening or delaying these standards would mean consumers continue to bear higher running costs without access to more efficient technologies already available globally.

Beyond personal savings, strong norms also advance our collective national interests. India imports the majority of its crude oil, and every incremental improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency contributes to energy security and reduced import dependence. Moreover, higher efficiency standards cut CO₂ emissions and urban pollution — issues that directly affect citizens’ health and quality of life.

Importantly, maintaining stringency in CAFE norms can also accelerate the market transition towards electric four-wheelers. Clear and ambitious targets signal long-term policy stability to manufacturers, nudging them to invest in clean technologies and bring advanced, efficient, and electric models to consumers. As more automakers diversify their product lines to meet tighter standards, consumers will benefit from a wider range of cleaner and more affordable vehicle options.

India’s automotive future must balance consumer affordability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Strong fuel efficiency regulations are a cornerstone of that vision. They protect consumer interests today while steering the industry toward innovation and sustainability for tomorrow.

I therefore urge the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to:

1. Maintain stringent and progressive CAFE norms for M1 category vehicles in upcoming phases;

2. Ensure transparency and accountability in how fleet-average performance is reported and verified; and

3. Align fuel efficiency standards with EV adoption goals, so that policies complement each other and create a coherent pathway for clean mobility.

Thank you for your leadership in this important area. As consumers and citizens, we stand to benefit directly from policies that make our vehicles more efficient, our air cleaner, and our future more sustainable.