Research on 15% ethanol blending in diesel in advanced stages: Nitin Gadkari

Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) Bio Energy Summit 2024, Gadkari further said according to government data, ethanol blending in India has surged from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2024.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the research on blending 15 per cent ethanol in diesel is in advanced stages.

Addressing the 12th ‘CII Bioenergy Summit 2024’ in the national capital, the minister said, the Centre is exploring the prospects around how to prioritise it based on sound evidence.

The ethanol blending in petrol has surged from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2024, with a target to reach 20 per cent by 2025. Research is underway to explore blending 15 per cent ethanol in diesel as well, as part of the government’s strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependency, he said.

The Union Minister emphasized the creation of an ethanol ecosystem, which includes the establishment of 400 ethanol pumps by Indian Oil Corporation in four states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Discussions with leading automakers ongoing, with plans to launch flex-engine cars that run on ethanol. Similarly prominent manufacturers of two-wheelers are preparing to launch ethanol-powered bikes once the infrastructure is ready, he added.

He emphasised the importance of leveraging waste-to-energy technologies, especially in the production of bio-CNG from rice straw, which has proven viable across 475 projects, with over 40 already operational in states like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Pointing out that the conversion ratio of rice straw to CNG stands at approximately 5:1 in tonnes, he said suggested for further research into efficient biomass sources and cost-effective transportation of biomass.

He also called for reducing India’s annual fossil fuel import worth Rs 22 lakh crore, particularly amidst global geopolitical uncertainties. “Biofuel is key to India’s energy self-reliance, boosting the agricultural economy, and ensuring prosperity for our farmers,” he said.