New Delhi: With E20 petrol already introduced for cars, the government is now looking at flex-fuel engines that can run entirely on ethanol, or E100, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, The Times of India reported.
Speaking at an event following the inauguration of Madhya Pradesh’s new public bus service along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Gadkari highlighted the potential of ethanol to increase farmers’ income and reduce India’s dependence on imported petroleum.
“Today, the farmer is not only our ‘anna data’ (food provider) but also our ‘urja data’ (energy provider),” Gadkari said.
He said the growth of ethanol production had benefited farmers, citing the increase in maize prices from around Rs 1,200 per quintal to Rs 2,600 per quintal following the expansion of ethanol production.
“This is the meaning of swadeshi, self-reliance and independence,” he said.
Gadkari said flex-fuel engines capable of operating completely on ethanol were being developed and vehicles fitted with the technology would be introduced, according to a PTI report.
He said greater adoption of cleaner fuels could help reduce pollution as well as fuel imports, while maintaining safety.
India currently imports petroleum worth around Rs 22 lakh crore, Gadkari said, underlining the need to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels by increasing the use of ethanol, electricity, hydrogen and other alternative energy sources.
The government is also promoting electric mobility. Gadkari said electric tractors had already been introduced, while efforts were underway to develop hydrogen-powered vehicles.
“I travel in a hydrogen vehicle. Its name is Mirai, which means future,” he said, adding that hydrogen buses would be introduced on 10 routes.
