More than 13 per cent of subsidised diesel in the country is consumed by high-end cars and SUVs, according to a study conducted by Nielsen on behalf of the Petroleum Ministry, thus indicating that cheaper fuel is finding usage by unintended beneficiaries.
The study which was proposed by the ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) found that private cars consumed 13.15 per cent of the 69.08 million tonne diesel consumed in the country in 2012-13.
Commercial vehicles used another 8.94 per cent and three-wheelers, a further 6.39 per cent. Commercial vehicles such as trucks however constituted the largest user base of diesel at 28.25 per cent, the study said, adding that 70 per cent of the diesel was being used in the transport sector.
Agriculture tractors and pumps used 13 per cent of the diesel. Industries and electricity generators consumed almost 9 per cent diesel, while mobile towers used 1.54 per cent.
The study found that 99.6 per cent of petrol is consumed in the transport sector alone. "Of this, majority consumption of 61.42 per cent is accounted for by two-wheelers while cars use 34.33 per cent, followed by 3-wheelers at 2.34 per cent," an official statement said.