Govt says no decision taken to increase ethanol blending beyond 20%, says program has saved ₹1.97 crore in forex | Today’s news

In a report today, the Center highlighted the benefits of Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) and clarified that the government has not yet taken any decision to increase ethanol blending beyond 20%.

He added that the introduction of E85 fuel “does not represent an increase in the national level of ethanol blending into gasoline.” In particular, E85 fuel is one that contains a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

“Any future decision regarding higher ethanol blends will be taken after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including car manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and research institutions,” the company said.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 23 July, Suresh Gopi, Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that the EBP program has saved more than ₹1.97 million crowns in foreign currency. He added that these savings come from the replacement of approximately 316 million metric tons of oil. The statement further claimed that the blend also reduced approximately 952 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and transferred ₹1.66 million crowns to farmers.

• More than 20 million two-wheelers and more than 3 million gasoline cars run on these blends, “without any verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle failure attributable to ethanol blending,” he added.
• According to the release, E85 fuel (containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) was introduced exclusively for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) designed and certified for such fuel (E85) and “does not represent an increase in the nationwide level of ethanol blending into gasoline.”

Prescribed ethanol blending percentage for the last three years:

EBP program through a phased scientific process

According to the report, India’s EBP program was “implemented through a phased, scientifically validated and consultative process involving NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, OMC, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and other technical institutions”.

He added that the 20% mix was achieved five years ahead of the original target, “after more than two decades of incremental policy development, stakeholder consultation, scientific assessment and capacity building”.