Petrol cars lose top spot to CNG, hybrids and EVs in India for first time

India's passenger-vehicle market saw alternative fuels overtake petrol/ethanol in August 2026 for the first time, with CNG, hybrids and EVs taking a 41.95% share versus petrol's 40.85%, FADA data showed. Overall vehicle sales hit a record 24.23 lakh units in August, up 17.51% from a year earlier. Two-wheelers led sales with 17.15 lakh units, up 19.69%.