INTERVIEW: India Eyes E27 And Hydrogen Adoption After Hitting E20 Ethanol Target Early

India's ethanol blending programme is set to expand beyond the current E20 standard, with government officials revealing that an inter-ministerial committee is developing roadmaps for higher ethanol concentrations and alternative fuels such as hydrogen. This comes amid concerns among vehicle owners regarding performance and fuel efficiency of E20. The government, however, has dismissed all concerns.

E27 Ethanol Fuel

Speaking to ACKO Drive, Dr Reji Mathai, a petroleum industry veteran revealed that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is leading deliberations on E27 implementation through a dedicated committee.

"So I won't say there is a timeline as such given for E27 and all. The flex fuel, which will be up to E85, and currently, manufacturers are thinking very seriously about it, because they are also understanding government's requirement that there is an increase in supply of ethanol happening," Mathai, Director at Automotive Research Association of India, said in a freewheeling chat.

The push for higher ethanol blends builds on India hitting the target early with E20 implementation.

Notably, India has hit its E20 target five years ahead of schedule, with ethanol blending rising from 1.5 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent by 2025. The government's fiscal incentives to the sugarcane industry have been key to this rapid transformation.

A few industry experts as well as the Centre has addressed concerns about vehicle compatibility across different age groups.

Older Vehicle Compatibility Confirmed

"Vehicles as old as 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022 all were looked into. So there was a good representation, the major representations were made in that. And in some cases, some of these manufacturers have told that their vehicles are materially compatible from 2014 or 2008. So there are a few players like that also. So we can't judge on how it will practice player that player. But major representations were taken into care," Mathai added.

Brazil and many European nations have already adopted high-ethanol blended fuel. Brazil started large-scale ethanol blending in the 1970s, in an attempt to counter the global oil crisis.

Hydrogen Vehicle Trials

Beyond ethanol expansion, the government is simultaneously exploring carbon-free alternatives to achieve its net-zero commitments.

"So this is one area where, I think government is thinking long term about the net zero, because they have to look into a component which does not have carbon. Okay, and hydrogen fits it perfectly in that bill. The challenges as search is we don't have any demonstrations or any pilots happen till now, so they have now put forward certain demonstrations.

"So we are the scheme implementing agency for that ARI is doing that. Underneath there are in the first phase, there are five players or five consortium, I can say who have been identified. So there they will be putting hydrogen ice, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, buses, trucks now. Smaller cars or smaller vehicles, till now has not been taking up that part, because if you look at the consumption, also, the heavier ones consume a lot. So if you address that, it is much better. Secondly, Ethhanol is doing some good work in the lower segment with petrol at all. But for diesel usage, there are no good substitutes, as of now found. So it's a good substitute in that direction. The hydrogen can serve them," Mathai informed.