India should aim for 100% ethanol blending amid energy risks: Nitin Gadkari
Nitin Gadkari said India should aim for 100% ethanol blending to cut oil import dependence. Highlighting energy security and rising costs, he pushed for flex-fuel adoption, biofuel expansion, and green hydrogen, stressing technology-driven transition toward cleaner, self-reliant fuel systems.
New Delhi: India should target 100 percent ethanol blending in petrol in the near future to reduce dependence on imported oil, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a green transport event, the minister pointed to global uncertainties, including tensions in West Asia, as a key reason for accelerating the shift towards alternative fuels. He said India’s heavy reliance on imports—meeting about 87 percent of its oil needs—makes energy self-reliance essential, PTI reported.
India has already introduced petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. Gadkari said existing vehicles can run on E20 fuel with minor adjustments, and called for a gradual move towards higher blending levels, similar to countries like Brazil.
He also noted that upcoming fuel efficiency norms, set to take effect from April 1 next year, will have limited impact on electric and flex-fuel vehicles, indicating continued support for cleaner technologies.
Highlighting the economic impact, Gadkari said India spends around Rs 22 lakh crore on fossil fuel imports annually, which also contributes to pollution. He stressed the need to expand production of biofuels and other alternative energy sources, PTI stated.
The minister also spoke about the potential of green hydrogen, describing it as a future fuel. However, he acknowledged challenges such as high production and transport costs, and said efforts should focus on bringing down the cost of producing hydrogen to about $1 per kg to make it viable.
Gadkari added that producing hydrogen from waste and promoting a circular economy could help create jobs while supporting cleaner energy goals.
While calling for reduced dependence on petrol and diesel vehicles, he said consumers cannot be forced to shift, and emphasised the role of better technology and product quality in driving adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.
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Source : Chinimandi
