The "Taxing" Truth: Why your petrol bill doesn't care about global oil crashes ⛽📈
Ever wondered why petrol prices didn't hit the floor when crude oil prices literally went negative in 2020? Or why we're paying nearly ₹100 today when crude is roughly the same price it was in 2013?
I mapped out the data from 2000 to 2026, and the trend is… chef’s kiss for the government, but a bit of a heartbreaker for our wallets.
The TL;DR on the Graphs:
2000–2013 (The "Simpler" Times): Back then, the government used to shield us. If crude prices went up, the "Base Cost" (Blue) went up, but Taxes (Red) stayed flat or even dropped to keep us sane. It was the era of heavy subsidies.
2014–2026 (The "Revenue" Era): The script flipped. When crude prices crashed, the government saw an opportunity. Instead of passing the savings to you, they hiked the Excise Duty. Now, taxes are a massive, permanent chunk of the bill regardless of what happens in the Middle East.
How to read it:
Blue Line: The actual "raw" cost (Crude + Refining).
Red Line: The government's cut (Central Excise + State VAT).
The Gap: If the red line is climbing while the blue line is falling, you’re basically paying for roads and bridges with every liter of fuel.
Legit Sources:
PPAC (Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell): Historical crude pricing.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: Retail price breakdowns.
Indian Oil Corp (IOCL) Archives: Regional price notifications.
Whether you're driving a Thar or a Pulsar, we’re all part of the most expensive "subscription service" in India. Thoughts?