Ethanol-blended Fuel

Today's opinions examine environmental destruction in war, the strategic race for frontier AI and the lessons India can draw from Brazil's ethanol transition.

If one-fifth of every litre of petrol is now ethanol, why hasn't E20 become cheaper? Here's the government's answer

India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending and is now looking beyond E20. But as debates over mileage, vehicle compatibility and consumer concerns continue, Brazil's decades-long biofuel journey

Today's opinions examine India's ethanol-blending policy, urban employment trends, MGNREGA reforms, energy security after the Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and Project Cheetah

A LocalCircles survey says 66 per cent of pre-2023 petrol vehicle owners reported a mileage drop of more than 10 per cent, while 31 per cent want the option to return to E0 or E10 fuel

Industry experts defended India's E20 rollout, saying the ethanol blending programme followed years of testing and consultations, with no major concerns found by automakers and research bodies

India's ethanol shift promises lower imports and support for farmers, but older vehicles and the informal repair network may carry the first consumer-level costs in coming years

According to the minister, ethanol has the potential to emerge as a viable alternative to petrol, helping India reduce its massive fuel import bill

The government has removed excise duty on petrol blended with 22-30 per cent ethanol, extending tax support beyond E20 and giving a boost to India's clean fuel and energy goals

Survey of over 28,000 prospective buyers finds fuel-policy uncertainty influencing purchase decisions, with EVs and hybrids emerging as preferred alternatives to petrol vehicles

Flex fuel will help meet India's two national objectives of cutting crude oil imports and reducing carbon emissions, but requires an entire ecosystem, from fuel availability to more model launches for large-scale adoption, Maruti Suzuki India MD & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said on Thursday. The benefits of flex-fuel go much beyond the automobile sector, supporting economy, society, environment, farmers, ethanol producers and the larger rural ecosystem, he said, while speaking at the introduction of the company's first flex-fuel vehicle here. A flex-fuel vehicle has an internal combustion engine that is designed to run on alternative fuel made by combing petrol with ethanol or methanol. Noting that India is at a critical point, Takeuchi recollected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to save fuel and reduce import dependence. "On the other hand, we have to proceed steadily in this Amrit Kaal towards self-reliance and Viksit Bharat by 2047," he said. For both objectives, he

Puri asserted that the Flex Fuel Vehicles offer India a practical solution to reduce crude oil imports, strengthen the rural economy through ethanol demand, and advance low-carbon mobility

A recent LocalCircles study found that 29 per cent of petrol vehicle owners also faced unusual engine wear and tear as India pushes ahead with higher ethanol fuel blends beyond E20

India is preparing the ground for E85 and E100 fuels, but moving beyond E20 will depend on whether the country can produce enough ethanol, store it safely, and distribute it efficiently at scale

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the draft includes provisions for E85 fuel, a blend of ‌85% ethanol with petrol, and E100, which would allow vehicles to run on nearly pure ethanol

Policy discussions on flex-fuel vehicles gather pace as supply disruptions from West Asia underscore the need to expand ethanol blending and reduce fuel import dependence

The change allows for the inclusion of alternative and synthesised components within the fuel mix

Reports suggest the government may soon notify E85 fuel rules as India eyes higher ethanol blends, but experts flag gaps in vehicle readiness, infrastructure, pricing, and transition timelines

Since E20 fuel was made mandatory across India in April 2025, vehicle owners have increasingly reported issues related to mileage, engine performance and overall drivability

A LocalCircles survey found that 52 per cent of petrol vehicle owners with cars bought in 2022 or earlier faced unusual wear and tear or repairs in 2025, affecting engines, tanks and carburetors