Multiple fuel use, incorporated within the concept of fuel stacking is prevalent in households at the beginning and mid-way in their ascension up the energy ladder. However, households cannot fully let go of their traditional energy sources presenting inherent policy complexities and contradictions within energy transition theories. Empirical insights into the determinants of clean energy transitions are presented that highlight the need to recognise both fuel switching and stacking occurs in many rural households. It focuses on rural communities in India and illuminates policy dilemmas. The study reveals that fuel stacking is likely to remain a key part of the socio-cultural energy tradition that will impact progress towards low carbon and a cleaner energy transition. We therefore argue targeted policy interventions, multi-stakeholder collaboration and strong energy governance is needed to incorporate socio-cultural traditions particularly linked to cooking. This suggests new energy policy that must offer flexibility in order to achieve the twin goals of universal energy access and decarbonising energy systems.

在家庭中，在提升能源阶梯的初期和中期，普遍采用了将多种燃料用于燃料堆叠的概念。但是，家庭无法完全放弃传统能源，因为传统能源在能源转换理论中存在内在的政策复杂性和矛盾。提出了有关清洁能源过渡决定因素的经验见解，突显了认识到许多农村家庭都需要认识到燃料转换和堆放的必要性。它着眼于印度的农村社区，阐明了政策困境。该研究表明，燃料堆放很可能仍然是社会文化能源传统的重要组成部分，这将影响向低碳和更清洁能源过渡的进程。因此，我们争论了针对性的政策干预措施，需要多方利益相关者的合作和强大的能源治理，以纳入特别是与烹饪相关的社会文化传统。这表明新的能源政策必须具有灵活性，以实现普及能源和使能源系统脱碳的双重目标。