‘India to achieve 20% ethanol blending target in 2 months’

New Delhi: India will achieve its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in the next two months, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.

The practice of blending ethanol with petrol began in 2001 as a pilot project.

"We will achieve this target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in the next two months. Use of E20 (petrol with 20 per cent ethanol) will help in reducing pollution," Gadkari said while speaking at an event.

The road transport and highways minister said Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai Motors have started manufacturing vehicles that run on 100 per cent bio-ethanol.

Gadkari said pollution is a serious problem in the country as 42 Indian cities are among 50 most-polluted cities in the world.

Prime Minister Modi launched 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in 2023 to reduce India’s reliance on fossil fuel imports, worth Rs 22 lakh crore annually.

Ethanol, derived from sugarcane and other agricultural products, can cut carbon monoxide emissions by up to 50 per cent in two-wheelers. The 10 per cent blending target was achieved ahead of schedule in June 2022. E20 can be used in vehicles with minor

engine modifications.