Page 2 - Latest Updates on Ethanol E20

SC to hear on Sept 1 plea over sale of 20% ethanol blended petrol

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea which has challenged the nationwide rollout of 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP-20), alleging that millions of motorists have been forced to use fuel not designed for their vehicles. The public interest litigation (PIL) is listed for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai on September 1. The plea, filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra, has sought a direction to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to ensure availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations. It has also sought a direction to the authorities to mandatorily label ethanol content on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, making it clearly visible to consumers, and also to ensure that consumers were informed about ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing. The plea said the authorities be directed to conduct a "nationwide impact study on mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to ethanol blended fu

Japan to fund $400 million bamboo biofuel refinery project in India

Japan Bank for International Cooperation and private banks to invest around $408 million in bamboo-to-biofuel refinery in Assam, marking Japan's largest clean energy investment in northeast India

No challenge in using E20 fuel in E10-compliant cars: Renault India

Issuing clarifications on the queries raised by customers related to the use of E20 fuel in vehicles tested and certified for E10, the company said it conducted 'rigorous' durability tests

E20 rollout linked to wear and tear in 28% of older petrol vehicles: Survey

Over one-third of vehicle owners also report reduced mileage since E20 petrol introduction; many urge govt to consider optional, lower-priced sale

'Fuel efficiency may decline by 2-5% due to 20% ethanol-blended petrol'

The usage of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency, depending on the type of cars, according to automotive industry experts. In the midst of social media debate over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, automotive engineers working with some of the major automakers, whom PTI spoke to, said that in older vehicles, which are not E20 compliant, there could be erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately. "There can be a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle. This is purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol," said an expert requesting anonymity. Earlier this month, the Oil Ministry clarified that "the critiques suggest that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced". However, it did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency. "The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been margin

India's ethanol drive threatens its edible oil self-sufficiency goal

A DDGS glut is hurting oilmeal demand, lowering oilseed prices, and driving Indian farmers to grow more corn and rice instead of soybeans and groundnuts, despite New Delhi's push to boost output

India achieves 20% ethanol blending target 5 yrs ahead of schedule: Isma

India has achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol five years ahead of schedule, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said on Friday. The achievement represents dramatic growth from the modest 1.5 per cent blending rate when the program began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, ISMA said in a statement. The ethanol blending program has delivered substantial economic and environmental benefits, according to ISMA data. Ethanol production surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661 crore litres blended as of June 2025, while generating 698 lakh tonnes in carbon dioxide emission reductions. The program has provided significant financial benefits to India's agricultural sector, with farmers receiving Rs 1.18 lakh crore and distilleries earning Rs 1.96 lakh crore over the period. The initiative has also helped India save Rs 1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange costs. "This achievement is a monumental leap for ...

Govt to finalise 27% ethanol blending norms by August: Nitin Gadkari

The Indian government will introduce norms for 27% ethanol blending in petrol by the end of August as part of efforts to cut fuel imports and reduce pollution

Isma urges Centre to ban ethanol imports, flags ₹40,000 crore risk

Industry body says allowing ethanol imports for fuel use will derail biofuel sector investments and affect timely payments to sugarcane farmers

Grainspan invests ₹520 cr in ethanol units, benefits from govt's subsidy

Encouraged by the Union Food Ministry's interest subsidy scheme, Grainspan Nutrients has invested Rs 520 crore to set up two grain-based ethanol plants in Ahmedabad and is supplying green fuel for blending with petrol. The two plants, which use maize and rice as feedstock, have a total installed capacity of 350 kilolitres per day. Grainspan's first grain-based ethanol plant, located at Bhamsara Village in Ahmedabad district, became operational in May 2023 with a capacity of 110 kilolitres per day. This plant was Gujarat's first grain-based ethanol facility. Enthused by the success, the company last month commissioned its second facility, which has been built at a cost of Rs 360 crore with an installed capacity of 240 kilolitres per day at the same location. The company supplies ethanol to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). "There are three grain-based ethanol plants in Gujarat, of which two facilities are being operated by us. We were the fi

UP govt upscaling ethanol supplies with projects worth Rs 6,700 crore

Keeping pace with the clean energy demand, boosting ethanol is key to energy security and enhancing rural incomes

India reviews US push to lift ethanol curbs amid trade deal talks

India is examining a US request to open ethanol imports for fuel use as part of broader trade negotiations, sparking concerns from domestic producers over policy reversal

Govt to set fresh target of 30% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030

Target of 20% blending already achieved in March this year

Ethanol blending programme: Grains to make up for lower sugar production

Grains look to surpass sugarcane again as the primary feedstock for ethanol, a process that may be helped by government incentives to convert mills into dual-feed ones

All green tech should have fair taxation: Toyota Kirloskar India head

Brazil's market-driven fuel pricing allows flexible fuel blending

Isma further lowers net sugar production estimate, no effect on supplies

Isma had, in January, estimated net sugar production at 27.2 million tonnes after accounting for a diversion of 3.7 million tonnes towards ethanol

MoC inked for India's 1st API, green hydrogen, ethanol facility in Himachal

The Rs 1,400 crore-project will be set up in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN), Solan district, and is expected to create 1,000 jobs

India Glycols up 6% on securing Rs 1,264.2 crore order to supply ethanol

The contract has been awarded by Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Reliance Industries, and Nayara Energy

Cabinet approves hike in ethanol procurement prices for state-run OMCs

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a rise in ethanol procurement price for Public Sector OMCs, setting it at Rs. 57.97 per liter for the 2024-25 EBP Program

Ethanol 2.0 policies key for India to match Brazil as a biofuel superpower

Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme 2.0 is essential because the International Energy Agency forecasts India to be the biggest contributor to global oil demand in the years ahead