India has not seen a single case of engine failure or breakdown since ethanol 20 (E20) was used as the base fuel 10 months ago, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated.
In comparison with Brazil, where cars have been running on E27 without issues for years, Puri brushed aside allegations casting doubts about the safety of the fuel, attributing them to some vested interests attempting to "create confusion" and stall India's ethanol revolution — an attempt he emphasized would fail.
Addressing the 'Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit,' the minister stated the transition to E20 is already well on its way, supported by robust policies, industry preparedness, and societal acceptance, adding, "There is no turning back."
Emphasizing E20's benefits, Puri added that it saves greenhouse gases, cleans the air, maximizes engine power, and has already saved more than ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange. He further mentioned the contribution of 2G ethanol plants in Panipat and Numaligarh, which produce ethanol from crop residues such as parali and bamboo — addressing pollution, increasing farmer revenues, and generating clean fuel at the same time.
The production of maize-based ethanol has experienced a startling increase, from zero in 2021–22 to 42% this year, which Puri referred to as a "transformational shift."
He attributed the success of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program to policy momentum after 2014, when blending was merely 1.53%. India achieved 10% blending in 2022 — five months ahead of target — and the advanced target of 20% blending by 2025 in the ongoing Ethanol Supply Year.
This momentum, he added, was fueled by reforms like assured prices for ethanol, permission for multiple feedstocks, and high-pacing growth of distillation capacity across the country. In Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), Puri pointed out Indian manufacturers have already constructed prototypes for models compatible with E85, establishing the industry's preparedness for increased blends of ethanol.
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