GOVT HAS ADVANCED THE TARGET FOR ETHANOL BLENDING

GOVT HAS ADVANCED THE TARGET FOR ETHANOL BLENDING

Subject: Economy

Context: The government of India has advanced the target for 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030. E20 will be rolled out from April 2023.

Concept:

• The central government has also released an expert committee report on the Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025.
• The roadmap proposes a gradual rollout of ethanol-blended fuel to achieve E10 fuel supply by April 2022 and phased rollout of E20 from April 2023 to April 2025.
• Currently, 8.5 per cent of ethanol is blended with petrol in India. In order to introduce vehicles that are compatible the committee recommends roll out of E20 material-compliant and E10 engine-tuned vehicles from April 2023 and production of E20-tuned engine vehicles from April 2025.

E 20 Fuel

• E20 fuel is a blend of 20% of ethanol with gasoline.
• The current permissible level of blending is 10% of ethanol, though India reached only 5.6% of blending in 2019.
• It will help in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, etc.
• It will help reduce the oil import bill, thereby saving foreign exchange and boosting energy security.
• Compatibility of Vehicles: As per the government, the compatibility of the vehicle to the percentage of ethanol in the blend of ethanol and gasoline shall be defined by the vehicle manufacturer and the same shall be displayed on the vehicle by putting a clearly visible sticker.