In Bengaluru, India, taxi driver Ravi Ranjan, who lives with his wife and young child in New Delhi, said transport disruptions from the Iran war have forced him to pay more for cooking fuel, even as India's prime minister urges people to limit driving and travel.
The protracted military conflict in Iran—one of the world's largest crude oil producers—has sent an energy shock through Asia, a region heavily reliant on oil imports. Prices of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas have spiked, directly affecting households and businesses.
In response, governments across Asia are stepping up investment in alternative energy sources, particularly ethanol and other biofuels. India, the world's third-largest oil importer, has accelerated its ethanol-blending program for gasoline and is encouraging production of biofuels from sugarcane and agricultural waste.
Energy experts say the shock from the Iran war could reshape the region's energy mix over the long term, as countries seek greater self-sufficiency. However, the transition to biofuels requires time and significant investment, while the immediate impact of the conflict continues to squeeze consumers.
