New Delhi, June 4: If ethanol-powered vehicles account for just one percent of total vehicle sales in India within a year, the country could save approximately ₹195 crore in foreign exchange. This statement was made by Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, on Wednesday.
Speaking at an event in the national capital, the minister highlighted that the introduction of flex-fuel mobility is a significant achievement in India’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and accelerate the shift towards cleaner transportation options.
Puri stated, “This initiative will not only strengthen the country’s energy security but also support the government’s broader strategy to promote domestically produced biofuels.”
He further announced that the large-scale rollout of flex-fuel vehicles has commenced. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing the use of ethanol-based fuels in the transportation sector.
The minister revealed that E85 fuel, which consists of up to 85 percent ethanol mixed with petrol, will be made available at designated fuel distribution centers across the country.
According to Puri, E85 fuel will be significantly cheaper than traditional petrol, making it an attractive and affordable option for consumers.
He explained, “Wider adoption of ethanol-powered vehicles could substantially reduce India’s import bill for crude oil and petroleum products, while also generating additional demand for domestically produced ethanol.”
As part of its strategy to decrease fossil fuel imports, cut carbon emissions, and provide additional income opportunities for farmers through the biofuel value chain, India is continuously increasing the ethanol blend in petrol.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari unveiled indigenous ethanol-based cooking stove technology last month. He noted that this technology can produce a suitable flame for cooking at a lower cost compared to commercial LPG cylinders.
Speaking at an event in Nagpur on May 25, Gadkari explained that this new technology uses a mixture of ethanol and water to generate a cooking flame.
The minister stated, “By mixing 7 percent ethanol with water, a flame suitable for cooking can be produced, and it is also cheaper than cooking gas. This technology has been developed in our country.”
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