Grain-Based Distilleries Urge Govt. to Introduce Higher Ethanol Blend Fuel

Amid the ongoing debate surrounding ethanol blended petrol, which critics claim reduces vehicle mileage and increases maintenance costs, a trade body of biofuel manufacturers, Grain Ethanol Manufacturer's Association (GEMA), on Tuesday called upon the government to speed up the introduction of higher ethanol-petrol blends and expedite the deployment of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) nationwide. Currently, E20 petrol is being distributed across petrol pumps. It a fuel blend containing 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent gasoline. 

GEMA said that such measures would align India's biofuel strategy with international best practices and thus, decrease reliance on fossil fuels and advance the nation's ambitious net-zero emissions objective by 2070.

However, the organisation acknowledges that increasing blending to 25-30 per cent may not be immediately feasible, though enhancement up to existing vehicle tolerance levels, potentially one or two percentage points above 20 per cent, remains achievable.

Industry Pushes for Progressive Blending

As the apex organisation representing India's expanding ethanol production sector, GEMA has pressed the government to hasten the rollout of higher ethanol blend percentages and accelerate countrywide adoption of flex-fuel vehicles.

Following "successful implementation of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme" and achievement of the 20 per cent ethanol blending target established for 2025, GEMA says that India must pursue higher blend levels, emulating Brazil's progressive ethanol blending model with base petrol at E27 and achieving up to 55 per cent petrol replacement through Flexi Fuel Vehicle adoption.

The trade body stresses that introducing flex-fuel engines capable of operating on varying ethanol-petrol blends is crucial for widespread biofuel adoption and transport sector decarbonisation. 

Support For Grain Ethanol Sector

"There is an immediate need to enhance the blending up to the tolerance level of the existing vehicles to give some relief to the Grain Ethanol Industry. The roadmap for ethanol blending beyond 20% must be clear, ambitious, and supported by a forward-looking policy framework," CK Jain, President, Grain Ethanol Manufacturer's Association, said in a statement.

"The industry has already invested to cater the enhanced requirements and ready to collaborate with stakeholders for enhance distribution infrastructure. However, timely government policies and cohesive inter-ministerial coordination will be essential to maintain the momentum," Jain added.

Infrastructure, Standards Development Required

Flex-fuel readiness requires developing appropriate vehicle standards, upgrading fuelling infrastructure and implementing consumer awareness initiatives. With flex-fuel engines, India can utilise its growing ethanol supply to significantly reduce vehicular emissions whilst maintaining vehicle performance and fuel economy.

FFV adoption could prove transformative for biofuel integration. The association urged expedited collaboration between policymakers, the Department of Science and Technology, and automobile manufacturers.

Recognising challenges in scaling both ethanol distribution and vehicle readiness, GEMA stressed the necessity of multi-stakeholder coordination. 

"A cohesive approach involving relevant ministries and all stakeholders is essential to build a sustainable and economically viable biofuel ecosystem," said Abhinav Singal, Treasurer, GEMA.