India's gasoline sales jump to pre-covid levels in September, diesel improves

Indian state retailers sold 2.2 million tonnes of gasoline last month, up 1.85% from a year ago.This comes as the sale of passenger cars surge and mot
...
File photo: A woman on duty at a petrol pump in Kolkata. (PTI)
File photo: A woman on duty at a petrol pump in Kolkata.

Indian state refiners' annual gasoline sales rose to pre-Covid levels in September and a fall in diesel sales slowed, as the loosening of lockdown restrictions boosted energy consumption and economic activity, provisional industry data showed.

Last month, gasoline sales by state refiners saw their first annual growth since March, underpinned by a gradual lifting of coronavirus curbs even as India suffers one of the highest infection rates in the world.

Trending Cars

Find more Cars

India's fuel consumption- a proxy for oil demand- was hard hit by a nation-wide lockdown imposed in March to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Indian state retailers sold 2.2 million tonnes of gasoline last month, up 1.85% from a year ago as the sale of passenger cars surged and as motorists increasingly rely on personal vehicles to commute amid rising coronavirus cases. Gasoline sales were up 10.5% from August.

Gasoil sales were at 4.84 million tonnes, down 7.3% from a year ago but up 22% from August, according to data provided by the country's top refiner Indian Oil Corp.

Also Read : Diesel demand in doldrums in India, BPCL to up petrol imports

A continued recovery in gasoline and gasoil sales, which accounts for over half of the refined fuel consumption in India, would help improve refinery runs further.

IOC's crude processing last month improved due to a recovery in fuel demand, its chairman M.S.Vaidya said, betting that fuel appetite could return to pre-Covid levels this quarter.

State companies IOC.NS, Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Bharat Petroleum own about 90% of India's retail fuel outlets.

State retailers sold 2.3 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas in September, 5.3% higher than last year and up 3.6% from August.

Jet fuel sales last month rose 23.4% from August to about 290,000 tonnes, but fell 53% from a year ago as curbs on air travel remained in place.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 01 Oct 2020, 13:54 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.