Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri declared India’s ethanol adoption programme “unstoppable,” underscoring rapid progress in blending ethanol with petrol. Speaking during a Fireside Chat at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit, he highlighted the country’s major milestones in advancing ethanol use.
From 1.53% in 2014 to E20 in 2024
Ethanol blending in India saw a major push after 2014, when the rate was only 1.53%. By 2022, India had reached 10% blending – five months ahead of schedule. Now, in the current Ethanol Supply Year, the country has achieved 20% blending (E20), five years before the revised 2025 deadline.
Policy and Infrastructure Driving Progress
The minister credited the achievement to assured pricing policies, diversification of feedstocks, and a significant expansion in distillation capacity. These measures have created a stable, scalable, and resilient ethanol supply chain.
Addressing Technical Concerns
Dispelling doubts about E20’s compatibility, Puri confirmed no reported engine failures or breakdowns in the 10 months since E20 became the base fuel. Drawing parallels with Brazil’s E27 usage, he assured that India’s shift is backed by strong policy support, industry readiness, and consumer acceptance.
Multiple Benefits for Economy, Environment, and Farmers
The minister outlined E20’s far-reaching advantages:
*Lower greenhouse gas emissions
*Improved air quality
*Better engine performance
*Foreign exchange savings exceeding ₹1.4 lakh crore
Over the past 11 years, ethanol procurement has generated ₹1.21 lakh crore for farmers, cut crude imports by 238.68 lakh metric tonnes, and saved the country ₹1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange.
Boost from 2G Ethanol and Maize-Based Production
Puri pointed to second-generation (2G) ethanol refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh that convert crop residue and bamboo into ethanol. These projects provide environmental benefits and create new income sources for farmers. He also noted a dramatic rise in maize-based ethanol production from zero in 2021–22 to 42% of total production this year.
Flex-Fuel Vehicles and Future Blend Targets
Indian automakers have started producing E85-compatible prototypes, while discussions are ongoing to gradually adopt higher blends such as E25, E27, and E30. This roadmap aims to future-proof the automotive sector for higher ethanol usage.
Expanding into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
As reported by knnindia.co.in, the minister announced that India is targeting a 1% SAF blending mandate for international flights by 2027. This will rise to 2% by 2028. Projects such as Indian Oil’s Panipat refinery produce SAF from used cooking oil. They signal the country’s commitment to low-carbon aviation fuels.
