Key facts
- India plans to expand E85 fuel stations to 500 by the end of the year.
- The current number of E85 stations is approximately 50.
- Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expects E85 to be adopted faster than E20.
- E85 is anticipated to be cheaper than E20.
- The initiative aims to reduce oil imports and vehicular emissions.
India is significantly expanding its network of E85 fuel stations, with plans to increase their number from the current approximately 50 to 500 by the end of the year. Hardeep Singh Puri, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, expressed optimism that the E85 blend, which contains 85% ethanol, will see faster adoption than the E20 blend. This prediction is based on the expectation that E85 will be more cost-effective for consumers, priced approximately Rs 20 lower than E20. The initiative aims to reduce India's reliance on imported oil by promoting the use of domestically produced ethanol and curb vehicular emissions.