The central government is working on a roadmap for ethanol blending in the country, with a high-level committee likely to meet as early as this week, sources told Zee Business. The ethanol blending target may be raised to 27 per cent, they said. The development comes amid the central government’s push to promote ethanol blending in auto fuels in order to enhance energy security. It has already sketched a detailed roadmap to guide effective implementation, with efforts underway to expand the feedstock used for ethanol production.
The government is also considering ethanol blending in diesel, according to the sources.
It has directed the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to formulate specifications for “E-27”, or 27 per cent ethanol blending, they added.
India has reportedly achieved the ambitious goal of 20 per cent ethanol blending six years ahead of schedule.
In March, the government notified a new scheme for cooperative sugar mills to support the conversion of sugarcane-based units into multi-feed ethanol plants.
India is taking major steps to secure its energy future by embracing sustainable practices like ethanol blending. India is the world’s third largest energy consumer. The country relies heavily on oil imports to meet rising energy demands. It imports about four-fifths of its annual oil requirement.Â
Ethanol blending offers a promising opportunity to reduce dependence on oil imports while addressing environmental concerns.Â
What is ethanol and how can blending it with auto fuel help?
Ethanol is a biofuel derived as a byproduct of sugarcane processing, particularly from molasses—a thick, dark syrup left after extracting sugar.
It can be mixed with automobile fuel such as petrol to achieve two key objectives:
- Lower dependence on fossil fuels
- Reduce carbon emissions
Ethanol is widely used not only as an alternative fuel source but also as a chemical solvent in various industries and in the synthesis of organic compounds. It also serves medical purposes as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
The ethanol supply year runs from November to October in the country.
