20% ethanol-blended petrol may be available by Dec or Jan: Puri

Tribune News Service

Jaipur, October 14

Twenty per cent ethanol-blended petrol is likely to be available in the country from December or January, ahead of the April 2023 target, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday.

Reviewing production

We are constantly reviewing the ethanol production and I believe, 20 per cent blended fuel would come in the market in December or January ahead of April 2023 (target). Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Petroleum Minister

"We are constantly reviewing the ethanol production and I believe, 20 per cent blended fuel would come in the market in December or January ahead of April 2023 (target)," he told media here.

Citing the example of Brazil where flex-fuel vehicles are available and the consumer can take ethanol or petrol as per choice, he said this would be the ultimate goal of the government.

However, to reach that stage, certain technical aspects are there and work is going on. "We are going to hold a major meeting with automobile manufacturers on ethanol blending," he said.

India has advanced the target date for achieving 20 per cent ethanol-blending in petrol by five years to 2025.

The minister also said for the targeted 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol, the country would need a 1,000 core litre capacity.

He said 450 crore litre is being produced and tenders for 400 crore litre have been issued.

"We have more than enough ethanol for 20 per cent blending," he noted.

All petrol sold in the country is targeted to have 20 per cent ethanol by 2025.

Ethanol is a biofuel with chemical formula C2H5OH. It is made naturally by the sugar fermentation.

The government has launched the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme to mix this biofuel with petrol to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel.

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