India's Fuel Consumption Patterns Revealed: Top 5 States and UTs by Per Capita Petrol Use Amid Rising Fuel Prices

Petrol Consumption Patterns in India Come Under Focus Amid Geopolitical Tensions

With fuel prices witnessing multiple hikes in May amid geopolitical tensions and rising crude oil concerns, petrol consumption patterns across India have come under sharper focus. A recent report by The Times of India, citing data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, Reuters, and Business Standard, highlighted the five Indian states and Union Territories with the highest per capita petrol consumption, driven largely by tourism, private vehicle usage, and long-distance road travel.

The five regions with the highest petrol consumption per person in India are:

Read also: Treasury Yields Experience Largest Increase in Two Weeks Following Release of Labor Market Data

Goa recorded the highest per capita petrol consumption in India in 2024-25, with around 52.4 litres consumed per 100 people daily. Tourism remains the biggest driver, with self-drive cars, rental scooters, and heavy inter-city travel contributing to fuel demand. Petrol stations witness peak rush during weekends and holiday seasons.

Puducherry ranked second on the list, consuming over 41 litres of petrol per 100 people daily. Tourism, frequent short-distance travel, and a high number of personal vehicles are among the key reasons behind the elevated consumption levels. The Union Territory also sees significant road traffic from visitors travelling from Chennai.

Chandigarh emerged as the third-highest fuel-consuming region on a per capita basis. The city's strong dependence on private vehicles and extensive road connectivity contribute to high petrol demand. Chandigarh also serves as a major gateway for road travel to Himachal Pradesh destinations such as Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands also featured on the list due to high tourism-linked transportation demand. Fuel consumption is driven by taxis, rented scooters, ferries, and inter-island logistics. Petrol prices in the islands can differ from mainland India due to transportation costs.

Read also: US-Iran Tensions Spark Uptick in Oil Prices Amid Global Market Decline

Arunachal Pradesh ranked among the top fuel-consuming regions because of long travel distances, mountainous terrain, and limited public transport options. Adventure tourism and road travel to destinations such as Tawang, Ziro Valley, and Bomdila have also contributed to rising petrol usage.