New Delhi, July 5 (IANS). The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Program is an important part of India’s energy transition and biofuel strategy. It has saved the country foreign exchange by reducing crude oil imports, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing farmers’ income through new market opportunities. This information was given in the fact sheet released by the government on Sunday.
The fact sheet said that from 2014-15 to May 2026, the Ethanol Blending Program has led to savings of more than Rs 1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange by replacing 310 lakh metric tonnes of imported crude oil with ethanol and additional earnings of more than Rs 1.6 lakh crore to farmers. Additionally, it has reduced carbon emissions by more than 930 lakh metric tons.
The fact sheet states that India imports about 88.5 percent of its crude oil requirement. This shows why ethanol blending is being given so much importance in the policy agenda. With every barrel of oil purchased from abroad, the country faces price fluctuations and sudden supply disruptions over which it has no control. The fact sheet emphasizes that ethanol made from Indian sugarcane, corn and rice offers a way to reduce this risk by using resources grown in the country.
The factsheet also states that ethanol blending is now a globally accepted practice, being implemented by many major economies such as the US, Brazil and Japan.
In the US, E10 is the standard ethanol-blended fuel across the country, while E15 use is increasing rapidly with support from the US government. Millions of vehicles are already flex-fuel compatible. It can run on blends up to E85.
Brazil leads the world in the use of ethanol. Currently, E27 is mandatory as standard petrol blend there. This is being increased to about 35 percent. More than 80 percent of new cars sold are flex-fuel vehicles. They run on E27, E30 or pure hydrous ethanol.
Japan has also included ethanol in its fuel mix. This work was done by implementing E10 in phases.
Additionally, the factsheet states that Canada, Thailand and several European countries have also adopted ethanol blending as part of their clean fuel strategies.
–IANS
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