Amid rising crude oil prices and ongoing tensions in West Asia, the ethanol industry has requested increasing ethanol blending in petrol beyond current levels to reduce India’s reliance on imported fuel, PTI reported.
The All India Distillers’ Association has approached Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with an offer to supply ethanol blends exceeding 20 percent. The move comes at a time when global oil markets are under pressure due to conflict in the Middle East.
In a letter, AIDA Deputy Director General Bharati Balaji said the industry is prepared to go beyond the E20 target already achieved by the country. She stated that increasing the share of ethanol in petrol would proportionally reduce crude oil imports.
She added that higher blending levels could help offset supply disruptions and limit the economic impact of rising oil prices.
India met its E20 target—blending 20 percent ethanol with petrol—in 2025, ahead of schedule, as part of efforts to lower fuel import bills and cut emissions.
The association has also urged the government to gradually increase the ethanol blending mandate from 20 percent to 30 percent.
In addition, it has called for the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on up to 100 percent ethanol, similar to those used in Brazil. It has also suggested promoting ethanol-based cooking stoves for domestic and commercial use, and exploring ethanol blending in diesel to manage fuel costs.
The industry body said ethanol-based cooking solutions could offer a cleaner energy alternative, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, while helping reduce indoor air pollution.
India’s ethanol sector currently has a production capacity of around 2,000 crore litres, with more than 380 distilleries in operation and another 33 in the pipeline.
