Key facts
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari approved legal recognition for 100% ethanol blend fuel.
- The initiative aims to reduce India's significant import dependence on fossil fuels.
- Ethanol is positioned as a viable alternative to petrol and diesel.
- Maruti Suzuki has launched a WagonR flex-fuel model capable of running on 100% ethanol.
- Hero MotoCorp has also introduced some motorcycle models on 100% ethanol.
- Toyota, Suzuki, and Hyundai are expected to launch 100% ethanol vehicles within two months.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that he has approved the legal framework for 100% ethanol blend fuel, a move intended to significantly reduce India's reliance on imported fossil fuels. Gadkari stated that this initiative will provide a viable alternative to petrol and diesel, thereby boosting domestic production and economic growth.
Speaking at an event, Gadkari highlighted that India's annual import cost for fossil fuels amounts to Rs 22 lakh crore. He expressed confidence that ethanol will emerge as a key substitute, easing this financial burden. The minister also noted the launch of Maruti Suzuki's WagonR in a flex-fuel model, capable of running on 100% ethanol, and mentioned that Hero MotoCorp has also introduced some motorcycle models using this blend.
Gadkari further revealed that companies including Toyota, Suzuki, and Hyundai are expected to introduce their own vehicles that run entirely on 100% ethanol within the next two months. He also addressed past skepticism and misinformation surrounding ethanol as a fuel, sharing an anecdote to illustrate the challenges faced in promoting the alternative blend.