Ethanol blending in petrol surpasses 15% for the first time – Details
“In May 2024, India achieved over 15% ethanol blending in petrol, a milestone under the EBP Programme aiming for 20% by 2025-26. Oil companies blended 670 million liters last month, up from 515 million in April, supporting a monthly ratio of 12.7%. Around 14,600 fuel stations now dispense petrol with 20% ethanol, with plans for capacity expansion. The Ethanol 100 scheme, launched in March 2024, aims to reduce fossil fuel dependency and bolster agriculture.”
Ethanol Blending in Petrol: The ethanol blending in Petrol has crossed 15 per cent in May 2024. This is the first time after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has introduced the blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
Under the EBP Programme, the government has set a target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol by Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. As per the “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25”, the estimated requirement for 20 per cent ethanol blending in ESY 2025-26 is approximately 1016 crore liters and this quantity of petrol will be replaced by ethanol. This will help save about 4 billion US Dollars (USD) per annum.
According to an ET report, this became possible after the oil companies increased their purchases from the biofuel makers whose production capacity has risen sharply in recent years. According to reports, the state-run oil marketing companies have blended around 670 million liters of ethanol in petrol last month.
“This is substantially higher than the 515 million litre of ethanol used in April to achieve a monthly blending ratio of 12.7 per cent,” the report said.
Ethanol Blending in Petrol: Fuel Stations
As per the report, the state-run oil companies operated around 14,600 fuel stations to dispense petrol with 20 per cent ethanol. The companies are also in the process of expanding capacities to receive more ethanol supplies.
Ethanol 100
Launched in March 2024, the Ethanol 100 scheme has been inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister of India to transform Annadatas into Urjadatas. The scheme has the potential to transform the transportation sector and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It reflects the government’s commitment to reducing import dependency, conserving foreign exchange, and boosting the agriculture sector.
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