Flex-fuel engines to get mandatory for carmakers in India, says Nitin Gadkari

Days after preponing cut-off date for mixing 20 per cent ethanol in petrol from 2030 to 2025, the Centre is planning to make it mandatory for carmakers in India to start producing vehicles with flex-fuel engines, which is compatible with the alternative fuel.

Representational photo of a fuel nozzle from a flex fuel pump (REUTERS)
Representational photo of a fuel nozzle from a flex fuel pump

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that his ministry will come up with a decision soon to ask the auto industry to do their part to help the economy by providing customers with option to choose a more cost-effective fuel to run their cars and two-wheelers.

Addressing a virtual conference, Nitin Gadkari said, "I am transport minister, I am going to issue an order to the industry, that only petrol engines will not be there, there will be flex-fuel engines, where there will be choice for the people that they can use 100 per cent crude oil or 100 per ethanol. I am going to take a decision within 8-10 days and we will make it (flex-fuel engine) mandatory for the automobile industry."

Gadkari said that ethanol will help the economy at a time when fuel price hikes have taken petrol and diesel prices at an all-time high. While petrol costs more than 100 per litre in several parts of the country, the price of alternative fuel ethanol will be pegged at about 60-62 per litre. He said that ethanol is a better fuel than petrol and is also pollution-free and indigenous.

Gadkari has also said flex-fuel engines are already in vogue in countries like Brazil, Canada and United States where a lot of vehicle owners use ethanol as fuel for their cars.

Gadkari said that about 8.5 per cent ethanol is mixed with petrol currently. Seven years ago the percentage was much lesser at 1-1.5 per cent. The Union Minister has said that ethanol procurement has risen from 38 crore litres to 320 crore litres.

Petrol price has crossed 100 per litre in metro cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, while it is inching towards the three figure mark in other cities like Delhi, Chennai and others. In 27 hikes since May 4, the price of petrol has shot up by 6.82 per litre and diesel by 7.24 a litre.

First Published Date: 21 Jun 2021, 08:58 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS
Shopping Bag Shop Now
Godrej aer O – Hanging Car Air Freshener | Car Accessories | Cool Aqua (7.5g)
Rs. 99
70% OFF
VENO Portable High Power 2 in 1 Car Vacuum Cleaner | USB Rechargeable Wireless Handheld Car Vacuum Cleaner Traveling, Camping Reusable and Sustainable (2 in 1 Vacuum Cleaner)
Rs. 899 Rs. 2,999
SHAYONAM Dent Removal Kit - Powerful Car Dent Repair Kit - Suction Cup Dent Puller Handle Lifter and Dent Repair Puller for Car Body Dent, Glass, Tiles and Mirror (Plastic)
Rs. 349
Godrej aer O – Hanging Car Air Freshener | Car Accessories | Musk After Smoke (7.5g)
Rs. 99

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.