New Delhi. The Government of India has set a target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol next year and is considering taking steps towards taking forward the plan of ethanol blending thereafter. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, while emphasizing on ethanol blending at the CII Bioenergy Summit on Monday, said that for carbon neutrality we will have to reduce our dependence on petrol. Puri said that after completing the plan of 20% ethanol blending in 2025, it will be taken forward.
The Government of India has set the deadline to become carbon neutral by 2070. For this, not only has a target been set to reduce emissions from common vehicles running on petrol and diesel, but there is also a plan to reduce emissions in the transport and aviation industries.
The target will be accomplished in 2025 instead of 2030
The government had earlier pledged to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030, but later targeted to achieve this by 2025-26. Currently the ethanol mix in petrol is around 15%, which was just 1.5% in 2014.
Effect of ethanol blending on vehicles
Due to the hygroscopic nature of ethanol, it can affect some rubber components inside the engine. There have been many cases of engine parts getting damaged due to ethanol blended petrol in BS-4 vehicles. But in engines built on E20 (20% ethanol blended fuel) fuel, its effect is likely to be negligible. Petrol-powered vehicles can run smoothly on 10% ethanol blend, but some minor adjustments may be required for 20% ethanol blend. Engines of vehicles manufactured nowadays are coming with 20% ethanol compatibility.
Dependence on imports will reduce
Another reason for the government to promote ethanol blending is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. This is promoting energy improvement. Consumption of ethanol by oil marketing companies has also increased the income of sugarcane and maize farmers.
Foreign exchange savings and environmental benefits
Puri said, “From 2014 to 2024, foreign exchange savings stood at Rs 1.6 lakh crore. CO2 emissions decreased by 544 lakh metric tons. Crude oil import was 181 lakh metric tons. “OMC paid Rs 1.5 lakh crore to distilleries and Rs 90,059 crore was paid to farmers.”
To ensure adequate ethanol supply for the ethanol blending programme, the government has introduced several measures such as subsidies for setting up distilleries and allowing different feedstocks to promote ethanol production.
Tags: auto news, Petrol and diesel
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 15, 2024, 17:30 IST