Charts · diesel demand
Why diesel matters
The world's biggest oil product, what India uses it for, how it grows with the economy, and how little its use responds to price.
Diesel is the world's biggest oil product
World oil use by product, million barrels a day
Diesel's share of all oil use
In India, diesel moves goods
Then and now, share of diesel sold at fuel stations
2012–132020–21
Diesel grows with the economy, but more slowly than it used to
Diesel useGDP (real)
Prices went up in May 2026. Diesel use kept growing
Diesel use, million tonnes a month
Before the price riseFrom May 2026
Retail price of diesel in Delhi, rupees a litre (monthly average)
Diesel use barely responds to price
DieselPetrol95% rangeNot statistically significant
Where India burns its diesel