Ethanol Blending

Nearly 50% pre-2022 petrol cars see lower mileage on E20 fuel: Survey

A nationwide survey shows 1 in 2 owners of petrol vehicles bought in 2022 or earlier report lower mileage after E20 petrol rollout, while 29 per cent also report unusual wear and tear

Govt mandates sale of petrol with up to 20% ethanol blending from April 1

Ethanol blending programme was introduced to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut energy imports

E20 petrol with RON 95 mandatory from April 1: What it means for your car

From April 1, all petrol pumps will sell E20 fuel with minimum RON 95; the government has kept the option open to grant temporary exemptions

Why did Ajay Singh's video on a closed ethanol plant in Bihar go viral?

In his video post, Ajay Singh repeatedly referred to his agonising condition as the govt owned companies has stopped buying ethanol from his plant in Bihar, putting his entire business into turmoil

BS Samriddhi: Uttar Pradesh's sugar industry grows by leaps and bounds

The state's sugar sector has over the years successfully transitioned from conventional sugar production to integrated complexes, producing sugar, ethanol, power, and bio-fertilisers

CRISIL SME Tracker: Sugar MSMEs set for steady growth amid diversification

The government's Financial Assistance to Sugar Mills for Enhancement and Augmentation of Ethanol Production Capacity has prompted MSME sugar players to diversify into distilleries

Ethanol-blended petrol environment-friendly, benefits farmers: Gadkari

Ethanol-blended petrol has greatly benefitted farmers and resulted in saving of over Rs 1.40 lakh crore of foreign exchange, Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday. Amid concerns over the use of ethanol-blended petrol, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said after extensive testing, no adverse impact has been found in cars where ethanol mixed petrol is used. "Use of E-20 petrol (Ethanol Blended Petrol) is a healthy trend. It is a green transition. It is less polluted and also saves foreign exchange," he said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour. Gadkari said due to the mixing of ethanol in petrol, Rs 40,000 crore has been given to the farmers for the raw materials used -- sugarcane, maize etc. -- in ethanol. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said following the implementation of the ethanol blending programme, money which was earlier spent on crude oil imports is now going to farmers, who have become "Urjadaatas" apart from being "Annadatas". He said during th

Sugar industry likely to get sweet reprieve amid ethanol, pricing shocks

Centre's move to allow 1.5 million tonnes of sugar exports offers relief to a stressed sector grappling with ethanol allocation cuts, cane price hikes, and growing political pressure

Washington's push to put US corn in Indian cars to face tough road ahead

New Delhi would seek a reciprocal US tariff of 20 per cent or less and a swift deal, fearing Indian exporters could fall further behind Southeast Asian rivals if negotiations drag on

Ethanol makers slam OMCs' 2025-26 supply tender over allocation policy

Both grain and sugarcane ethanol producers criticise OMCs' allocation for 2025-26, citing unfair distribution, capacity underuse, and potential negative impact on the sugar sector

Over 350 distilleries face ethanol allocation uncertainty: Industry body

More than 350 operational distilleries across the country are facing an uncertain future due to inadequate procurement orders under the latest ethanol tender, with industry bodies flagging concerns over the allocation methodology that favours new entrants over existing units. The Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26 tender issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has come under fire from stakeholders who allege that the allocation criteria is creating artificial imbalances, while sidelining distilleries set up under prior government commitments. According to the tender document (#1000442332), zones where offers from local distilleries fall short of requirements are classified as deficit zones, with all local offers considered full for allocation. However, industry representatives say this approach ignores surplus capacity in neighbouring states, much of which was established under Long-Term Offtake Agreements (LTOA) and Expression of Interest initiatives promoted by OMCs themselves. "

E20 fuel hits mileage of older petrol vehicles; 8 in 10 report drop: Survey

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

Ethanol blending transforms sugar cooperatives' balance sheets: Amit Shah

Ethanol blending has transformed the balance sheets of sugar mills and India's sugar cooperatives sector has benefitted immensely after Narendra Modi became the prime minister, Union minister Amit Shah said on Sunday. He also said that the Centre, under PM Modi's leadership, will extend all possible assistance to farmers in Maharashtra who have suffered losses due to heavy rains in the state recently. The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation was addressing a farmers' rally after inaugurating the expanded capacity of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district, which has increased its crushing capacity to 10,000 tonnes of sugarcane per day. He also unveiled statues of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, a notable figure in the cooperative movement, and his son and former Union minister Dr Balasaheb Vikhe Patil. The sugar cooperative sector has benefitted immensely after Narendra Modi became the prime minister, he said, adding that sugar ...

Will 'assess' ethanol-blending plan before setting higher targets: Puri

Hardeep Singh Puri said India has met the 20 per cent ethanol blending target six years ahead of schedule but further increases will be reviewed amid concerns over vehicle efficiency

AM Green looking to set up more biorefineries in India: CTO S S V Ramakumar

Following the commissioning of its Rs 4,500 crore bamboo-based biorefinery in Assam, AM Green plans more projects in India to scale ethanol production for petrol blending

Best of BS Opinion: Ethanol blend welcome, but water security a key concern

Today's wrap of the Opinion Page considers the E20 mandate and its potential impacts, what a US court's ruling on Google means, India's spice trade, and the regulatory aspects of options trading

Ethanol blending for fuel a welcome move, but transition challenges remain

From the consumer point of view, the transition needed better management

E20 petrol is safe but can lower mileage, acceleration: Mahindra Auto CEO

Transport minister Nitin Gadkari, however, on Wednesday said that concerns about E20 are being fuelled by the petroleum lobby

E20 fuel criticism is propaganda by 'rich and strong' petrol lobby: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari dismissed concerns over E20 fuel efficiency as propaganda by a powerful petrol lobby, while stressing growth and innovation in the auto sector

Gadkari blames petroleum "lobby" for fuelling concerns over E20 rollout

Since the rollout of the E20 blend, concerns have been raised that it may reduce vehicle mileage, affect engine life, and increase costs