Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday called 100 per cent bio ethanol the “fuel of the future” while speaking at a summit on green and renewable energy. His remarks come amid public debate over the government’s E20 plan, which aims to blend all petrol sold in the country with 20 per cent ethanol by 2025 or 2026.
“Pollution has reduced post ethanol use… the aim is to curb the carbon footprint and reduce our use of fossil fuel,” Mr Gadkari said. He noted that India is one of the largest economies in the world and has one of the highest numbers of vehicles per capita, with only China and the United States ahead.
The E20 initiative is part of the ethanol blended petroleum programme, designed to lower dependence on imported fossil fuels and cut vehicular emissions. Ethanol blending averaged 12.06 per cent in 2022 to 2023, rising to 14.6 per cent the following year. By February this year, it had reached 19.6 per cent and crossed the 20 per cent target soon after.
Some car owners have raised concerns over the impact of E20 on their vehicles, particularly older models not designed for higher ethanol blends. One owner, Venkatesh Alla, called the move “outright fraud” and warned of legal action, saying, “Forcing blended fuel… when our vehicles aren’t designed for it is outright fraud. You have no authority to dictate what fuel we must use. Pure and blended petrol should be sold separately… let the consumer decide.”
Last week the Petroleum Ministry said such concerns are “largely unfounded” and not backed by technical evidence. It acknowledged that ethanol has lower energy density, which could cause a small drop in mileage. For vehicles designed for E10 and adjusted for E20, the fall is estimated at one to two per cent, while other vehicles could see a drop of three to six per cent. On the issue of possible engine corrosion, the ministry said safety standards already mandate ethanol compatible materials and corrosion inhibitors.
The government stressed the importance of the programme in reducing crude oil imports, saving over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014 to 2015, and cutting carbon emissions by 700 lakh tonnes. Ethanol production from agricultural sources like sugarcane and crop waste has also generated over ₹1.2 lakh crore in income for farmers.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
