India launches E20 roll out roadmap on World Environment Day

In India, on the occasion of World Environment Day, June 5, 2021, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the report of the Expert Committee on Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025.

According to the report, 20% ethanol blending is within reach. The report further lays out an annual plan for the gradual rollout of E20 ethanol in the country. It suggests specific responsibilities of Union Ministries, State Governments and vehicle manufacturers for the production, supply and gradual rollout of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.

Immense benefits can accrue to the country by 20% ethanol blending by 2025, such as saving INR300 billion of foreign exchange per year, energy security, lower carbon emissions, better air quality, self-reliance, use of damaged food grains, increasing farmers’ incomes, employment generation, and greater investment opportunities.

The inter-ministerial committee was headed by Dr Rakesh Sarwal, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog. The committee had representatives from the Ministries of Petroleum; Food and Public Distribution; Road Transport and Highways; Heavy Industry; and Indian Oil Corporation and Automotive Research Association of India.

The E-20 roadmap proposes the following milestones:

Raise pan-India ethanol production capacity from the current 7 billion to 15 billion liters

Phased rollout of E10 fuel by April 2022

Phased rollout of E20 from April 2023, its availability by April 2025

Rollout of E20 material-compliant and E10 engine-tuned vehicles from April 2023

Production of E20-tuned engine vehicles from April 2025

Nationwide educational campaign

Encourage use of water-sparing crops, such as maize, to produce ethanol

Promote technology for the production of ethanol from non-food feedstock.