Fuel prices across Indian cities remained largely stable today, May 13, 2025. This comes after a period of volatility influenced by global crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and domestic taxation policies. While there are no broad revisions to report, here's a city-by-city breakdown of current petrol and diesel rates:

Metro City Prices:

• Delhi: Petrol is retailing at ₹94.77 per liter, and diesel costs ₹87.67 per liter. These prices have remained unchanged since the beginning of May.
• Mumbai: Petrol is priced at ₹103.50 per liter, while diesel costs ₹90.03 per liter.
• Chennai: Petrol is selling at ₹100.80 per liter, and diesel costs ₹92.39 per liter. There has been a slight decrease of ₹0.23 in petrol prices.
• Kolkata: Petrol is priced at ₹105.41 per liter, and diesel costs ₹92.02 per liter. Petrol prices have seen a slight increase of ₹0.40.

Factors Influencing Fuel Prices:

Several factors contribute to the daily price fluctuations in India. These include:

• Global Crude Oil Prices: The cost of crude oil in the international market is a primary driver of domestic fuel prices.
• Rupee-Dollar Exchange Rate: A weaker rupee against the dollar increases the cost of importing crude oil, impacting fuel prices.
• Taxes and Duties: Central excise duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) levied by state governments also influence the final price consumers pay.
• Dynamic Fuel Pricing: India follows a dynamic fuel pricing mechanism, where prices are revised daily at 6 a.m. based on the international benchmark rate of the preceding 15 days. This system aims to enhance transparency and limit speculative practices.
• Geopolitical Risks and Supply Chain Issues: Events like wars and disruptions in the supply chain can cause market imbalances and affect fuel prices.

Recent Trends and Analysis:

• Global Oil Market: Crude oil prices have shown some fluctuation recently. Brent crude, the global benchmark, experienced a decline, reaching its lowest level since February 2021 last week.
• Production and Demand: Higher crude oil production amid fears of slowing demand has contributed to price declines. Concerns about a potential recession and its impact on demand also play a role.
• State-Level Variations: Fuel prices vary across states due to differences in VAT and transportation costs. For instance, diesel prices in Himachal Pradesh average around ₹86.72 per liter.

Impact on Consumers:

Volatile fuel prices can impact household budgets and contribute to inflationary pressures. Rising fuel costs affect transportation, agriculture, and other industries that rely heavily on petrol and diesel.

Alternative Energy and Future Outlook:

The long-term trend suggests a gradual shift towards alternative energy sources, which could influence future petrol and diesel price trends in the country. However, for the immediate future, consumers can expect continued fluctuations in line with global market dynamics and government policies.