FY2025 – Petrol Tops, CNG Beats Diesel, EV Sales Surpass Hybrids

Indian passenger vehicle market in FY2025 has shown some fascinating changes. Petrol still wears the crown, CNG has overtaken diesel for the first time ever, and electric vehicles have crept ahead of hybrids.

When it comes to petrol, CNG, diesel, and EV sales, this year’s data is a snapshot of shifting buyer priorities. It also confirms changing cost calculations and a growing openness to alternative fuels.

Why Does Petrol Still Rule the Charts?

Petrol cars accounted for 57.5% of total sales in FY2025. This comes round to approx. 24.84 lakh units. That’s more than half the market, even as its share has dipped slightly from previous years.

The reasons aren’t hard to guess — petrol models are widely available across different car segments, have lower upfront costs than EVs or hybrids, and remain the go-to for first-time buyers.

Maruti Suzuki led the petrol pack with over 11.48 lakh units, followed by Hyundai, Tata, and Mahindra.

For many urban buyers, especially in smaller cities, petrol still feels like the “safe” choice — easy to refuel, predictable in performance, and without the range anxiety of EVs.

How Did CNG Overtake Diesel?

Here’s the twist: CNG vs diesel car sales ended with CNG on top. CNG clocked 8.38 lakh units (19.4% share) compared to diesel’s 7.73 lakh units (18% share).

This isn’t just a fleet-operator story anymore. While taxis and commercial buyers still love CNG for its low running costs, personal car buyers are joining in. Maruti Suzuki alone grabbed 70.5% of the CNG market, thanks to a wide range of factory-fitted options.

Diesel, once the king of SUVs, is now a niche. Stricter emission norms are place. Then there are higher fuel prices and the narrowing price gap with petrol to consider.

These have pushed buyers away from diesel. Mahindra still dominates diesel SUVs, but its overall segment-wise share is shrinking.

Why Are EVs Now Ahead of Hybrids?

In the EV vs hybrid sales India race, EVs took a slim lead. Pure electric cars sold 1.15 lakh units (2.7% share). Hybrids managed 1.04 lakh units (2.4% share).

The gap isn’t all that big, but it’s definitely revealing. EV adoption is inspired by dropping battery costs, improved charging infrastructure in metros, and aggressive pricing from brands like Tata, MG, and Mahindra. MG, in fact, enjoyed nearly 58% of its volume from EVs.

Hybrids, led overwhelmingly by Toyota (79% share), remain attractive for those who want better fuel efficiency without charging hassles. But their higher prices — often close to EVs — are making some buyers skip straight to electric.

What Does This Mean for FY2026?

The petrol, CNG, diesel, EV sales mix is evolving faster than many expected. Petrol will probably stay on top for some time, but its share could keep sliding if CNG and EVs keep growing. Diesel may drive steady among large SUVs, but it won’t necessarily regain its former glory.

For automakers, the public-demand message is becoming increasingly clear. Diversify your fuel portfolio or risk losing relevance among customers.

For buyers, the choices have never been more extensive. The “best” option now depends as much on running costs and infrastructure as it does on brand loyalty.