Approved 100 pc ethanol fuel use to cut fossil fuel imports: Nitin Gadkari

The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that he has given the green light to using 100 % ethanol fuel as a way to lessen India’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

He added that this step also speeds up the transition to alternative energy, speaking at a press conference in Nagpur commemorating twelve years of the NDA administration.

“I signed the document last night at 8 p.m., completing the regulations that legally permit the use of pure ethanol,” the minister stated.

Ethanol could become a practical substitute for gasoline, which would help curb India’s huge fuel import expenditure. Gadkari noted that the proposal faced doubt and criticism at first.

“I used to share this vision, and folks would laugh. A few friends even criticised it,” he recalled. Gadkari added that several leading car manufacturers are getting ready to roll out ethanol‑compatible models in the weeks ahead.

Toyota, Suzuki, MG and Hyundai plan to unveil vehicles that run on 100 % ethanol within the next six weeks, he mentioned.

Last week the government rolled out E85 fuel for flex‑fuel vehicles that support it. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri pointed out that India has exceeded its ethanol‑blending goals far earlier than expected.

He noted that ethanol’s share in petrol rose from 1.5 % in 2014 to 10 % by November 2022, and the goal of reaching a 20 % blend was met well before the original deadline.

“Since 2014 we have lifted ethanol blending from 1.5 % to 10 %, a milestone reached in November 2022. Although we aimed for 20 % blending by 2030, we actually attained it in 2024,” Puri said in an interview with IANS.

“Currently we are engaged in extensive talks with industry stakeholders, such as the automobile body SIAM and other groups. At the same time we have launched E85 fuel, but it is available solely for flex‑fuel vehicles that are E85‑compatible,” the minister added.

(With inputs from IANS)