India, Sept. 8 -- India's passenger-vehicle market crossed a significant threshold in August, when cars powered by alternative fuels collectively outsold petrol-powered cars for the first time. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), CNG, hybrid and electric passenger vehicles accounted for 41.95% of retail sales in August, compared with 40.85% for petrol vehicles.

FADA President Sai Giridhar described the change as a structural shift, saying: "For the first time in India's history, alternative fuels - CNG, hybrid and electric combined - overtook petrol in the Passenger Vehicle market."

This shift also coincides with consumer frustration over E20 petrol, which blends 20% ethanol into standard fuel. However...