Bureau of Indian Standards backs India’s move to 10 percent ethanol blending in October

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has endorsed the increase of the ethanol blending mandate from 5% to 10 percent in October.

The Bureau will release its specification for E10 in March 2008. The country is scheduled to move to E10 in October 2008 at the beginning of the next sugar season.

Following the imposition of an E5 mandate in October, oil companies have blended only 58 million gallons, compared to the 145 million gallons required under the mandate.

Reports continue to pour in that India is far from ready for the E10 mandate. Oil companies were directed to commence blending E5 blending in October, but have not procured enough ethanol to meet the mandate.

Reports have been published stating that the industry have procured less than 40 million gallons towards their expanded ethanol goal for next year. Further, older vehicles will not be E10 compatible, and new cars from Suzuki and Hyundai are not E10 compatible also.

Currently, high oil prices and the Indian sugar glut is creating strong demand for ethanol plants among sugar producers and those affected by high oil prices.However, researchers indicate that India will need 4,000 liters of water for every liter of ethanol produced — acceptable for water-laden Brazil, but not viable in India given the looming water shortage. 60% of Indian water supply is currently diverted to human use, according to a International Water Management Institute study. The researchers point out that it will require 26% of India’s water supply to produce enough ethanol to meet a 10 percent mandate.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

More reports that India will not be ready for E10 transition in October 2008

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards will release its E10 specification in March 2008, but moneycontrol.com reports that Indian oil companies are "unlikely" to have an adequate supply of ethanol f...

Indian oil companies 60 percent short of E5 mandated usage as India releases E10 specifications

The Bureau of Indian Standards will release its specification for E10 in March 2008. The country is scheduled to move to E10 in October 2008 at the beginning of the next sugar season. Following the...

Indian Oil Company to become ethanol producer as 10 percent Indian ethanol target looms

In India, the Indian Oil Corporation said that it plans to become an ethanol producer, in response to the central government's indication that it would increase the ethanol blending mandate from five ...

Indian cabinet approves national biofuels policy with 20 percent ethanol, biodiesel targets for 2017

In India, the Indian cabinet approved a national biofuels policy including a 20 percent ethanol and biodiesel content target for 2017. The country is scheduled to move from a 5 percent ethanol mabdate...

India’s Uttar Pradesh state government OKs ethanol made from sugar cane, as sugar price slump continues

In India, the state government of Uttar Pradesh has given the go-ahead to sugar mills to produce ethanol directly from sugarcane. Previously, ethanol could only be produced from molasses, an intermedi...

Indian car makers not ready for E10; procurement badly behind on acquiring sufficient ethanol for blenders

In India, reports are steaming in that the country is far from ready for the E10 mandate that will be imposed next October. Oil companies were directed to commence blending E5 blending in October, but...