TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
To calculate the potential savings in fuel and foreign currency, as well as the environmental impact if 10% of motor vehicle riders in India switch to bicycles for daily commutes, we need to break this down into several key factors. Let’s assume some basic data for this scenario:
Assumptions:
- Total Number of Motor Vehicle Riders: According to estimates, India has approximately 200 million motor vehicles (including cars, motorcycles, etc.). Of this, a percentage of riders could potentially switch to bicycles.
- Average Distance Covered: 15 km daily commute for each rider.
- Fuel Efficiency: The average fuel consumption of a typical motor vehicle is about 12 km per litre of petrol (this can vary by vehicle type, but we’ll use an average for simplicity).
- Fuel Price: The average price of petrol in India is about ₹100 per litre (this can fluctuate).
- Impact on Environment: Reduction in CO2 emissions, as bicycles produce no emissions compared to motor vehicles.
1. Fuel Savings Calculation
Let’s calculate how much fuel is saved if 10% of motor vehicle riders switch to bicycles.
- Total Motor Vehicle Riders: 200 million vehicles.
- 10% of Riders Switching to Bicycle: 200 million * 10% = 20 million riders.
- Daily Distance: 15 km per rider.
- Fuel Efficiency: 12 km per litre.
For each rider:
- Distance travelled daily: 15 km
- Fuel consumed by each rider if driving a car (for 15 km): 15 km ÷ 12 km/Litre = 1.25 Litres per day.
For 20 million riders:
- Total fuel consumption saved daily:1.25 Litres × 20 million = 25 million Litres of petrol per day.
Annual Fuel Savings:
- 25 million Litres/day × 365 days/year = 9.125 billion Litres of petrol saved per year.
2. Foreign Currency Savings
India imports a significant portion of its oil, and the reduction in fuel consumption will directly reduce the amount of foreign currency spent on oil imports.
- Average price of petrol: ₹100 per Litre.
- Total cost savings from 9.125 billion Litres of petrol: 9.125 billion Litres × ₹100 = ₹912.5 billion (or about ₹91,250 crore).
To convert this to foreign currency savings, let’s assume an average exchange rate of 1 USD = ₹83 (this varies, but we’ll use a standard exchange rate).
- Foreign currency savings: ₹912.5 billion ÷ 83 = USD 11 billion per year.
So, if 10% of motor vehicle riders switch to bicycles, India could save around ₹91,250 crore (or USD 11 billion) in foreign currency annually by reducing its fuel imports.
3. Environmental Impact
Switching to bicycles would also have a significant positive environmental impact. Let's estimate the reduction in CO2 emissions:
- Average CO2 emission from a typical petrol vehicle is around 2.3 kg of CO2 per Litre of petrol.
- Fuel savings per year: 9.125 billion Litres.
Total CO2 emissions reduced:
- 9.125 billion Litres × 2.3 kg CO2/Litre = 20.98 million metric tons of CO2 saved per year.
This reduction in CO2 emissions is equivalent to taking around 4.5 million cars off the road in terms of emissions, which would significantly reduce air pollution and the carbon footprint.
Summary of Benefits:
- Fuel Savings: 9.125 billion Litres of petrol per year.
- Foreign Currency Savings: ₹91,250 crore (USD 11 billion) annually.
- Environmental Impact:
- CO2 reduction of approximately 20.98 million metric tons annually.
- Equivalent to removing about 4.5 million cars from the road.
Conclusion
If 10% of motor vehicle riders in India switch to bicycles for their daily 15 km commute, it could save approximately 9.125 billion Liters of fuel annually, resulting in a foreign currency savings of USD 11 billion. Additionally, it would have a substantial environmental impact by reducing 20.98 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, helping to combat air pollution and climate change. These combined benefits make a strong case for promoting cycling as a sustainable, economical, and eco-friendly mode of transport.