New Delhi, June 3 (IANS). If the share of ethanol powered vehicles becomes one percent of the total vehicles sold in India in a year, then the country can save foreign exchange of about Rs 195 crore in one ethanol supply year. This statement was given by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday.
Speaking at an event in the national capital, the Union Minister said the introduction of flex-fuel mobility in the market is a significant achievement in India’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and rapidly move towards clean transportation options.
“This step will not only strengthen the country’s energy security but will also support the government’s broader strategy to promote domestically produced biofuels,” Puri said.
The minister further said that the large-scale rollout of flex-fuel vehicles has started from today. He also mentioned the government’s commitment to increase the use of ethanol-based fuels in the transportation sector.
He announced that E85 fuel, which contains 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 much cheaper than conventional petrol, making it an attractive and affordable option for consumers.
“Greater adoption of ethanol-powered vehicles could significantly reduce India’s import bill for crude oil and petroleum products, while also creating additional demand for domestically produced ethanol,” Puri said.
India has been continuously increasing ethanol blending in petrol as part of its strategy to reduce fossil fuel imports, cut carbon emissions and provide additional income opportunities for farmers through the biofuel value chain.
Meanwhile, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled the indigenous ethanol-based stove technology last month. He said this technology can generate flame suitable for cooking at a lower cost than commercial LPG cylinders.
Speaking at an event in Nagpur on May 25, Gadkari said this new technology uses a mixture of ethanol and water to generate a flame suitable for cooking.
“A stove-like flame can be produced by mixing 7 per cent ethanol in water, and it is cheaper than cooking gas. It has been developed in our country,” the minister said.
–IANS
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