ABSTRACT
The pressing need of better air quality, human health and mitigating global greenhouse gases in a consistently rapid-growing economy necessitates a comprehensive study on automobile fuel quality in India. This investigation aims to study the historical development of policy framework and governance associated with fuel quality improvements in India, analyzing what political, social and economic factors either enabled, or blocked, Indian fuel quality regulations. In particular, this research covers the following key inquiries: what are the current policy and governance mechanisms for regulating fuel quality improvement in India? Who are the actors, drivers and crucial players involved in governance associated with fuel quality improvements in India? What are the opportunities and challenges for policy implementation, especially arising from multiple and hierarchical governmental arrangements? The research, based on an intensive literature survey, qualitative understanding and opinions from stakeholders, infers that rapidly transforming regulatory policies for improvement of fuel quality, emission standards and electric mobility have opened new opportunities in the sector. The new model of high fuel quality and low-carbon transportation will encourage healthy competition in industry, R&D for innovators and advancement of technology, including compliance to the national and international technical regulations to stay relevant and competitive.
