Lok Sabha Question No. 2836 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Introduction of Ethanol 100 Fuel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri P P Chaudhary

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2836

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  August, 2024

## INTRODUCTION OF ETHANOL 100 FUEL

2836.  SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  rollout  plan  for  Ethanol  100  fuel  including  the  timeline  for expanding its availability;
- (b)  the specific measures being taken to ensure a consistent and adequate supply of ethanol to meet the demand for Ethanol 100 fuel;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  on  the  potential  impact  of Ethanol 100 on vehicle performance and emissions, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the steps being taken to encourage automobile manufacturers to produce more flex-fuel vehicles compatible with Ethanol 100; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  plan  to  provide  any  incentives  to  consumers  or manufacturers  to  promote  the  adoption  of  Ethanol  100  fuel,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी (᮰ी सुरेश गोपी)

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) & (c):  Government is promoting blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blended  Petrol  (EBP)  Programme  with  multiple  objectives  including  reducing import  dependence,  savings  in  foreign  exchange,  providing  boost  to  domestic agriculture  sector  and  for  associated  environmental  benefits.  Under  the  EBP Programme, the blending  of  ethanol  with  petrol  increased  from  38  crore  litres  in Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to more than 500 crore litres in ESY 2022-23 with corresponding increase in blending percentage from 1.53% to 12.06%. During the current ESY 2023-24, the blending percentage has already crossed 13%.

As  part  of  gradual  roll  out  of  E-100,  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have launched  E-100  at  more  than  400  retail  outlets  across  the  country.  Bureau  of Standards (BIS) has also notified specification for Ethanol as a fuel for direct use as automotive fuel for vehicles powered by positive ignition engine. Flex fuel vehicles

(FFV) are meant to operate on different blends of ethanol upto E100. E100 is to be used in such vehicles, which are optimized for the purpose.

(d)  &  (e):  Ministry  of  Heavy  Industries  is  implementing  the  Production  Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry with a total budgetary  outlay  of  Rs.  25,938/-  Crore  for  a  period  of  5  years.  The  scheme incentivizes  Electric  Vehicles  and  Advanced  Automotive  Technology  products. This inter-alia includes Flex Fuel Engine and its components. Further, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified mass emission standards in respect  of  blends  of  ethanol  with  petrol  and  flex  fuel.  Also,  MoRTH  has  issued notification  granting  exemption  to  the  transport  vehicles  running  on  ethanol  and methanol fuels from requirements of the permit and issued advisories to the States and  Union  Territories  regarding  the  exemption/reduction  of  road  tax  on  flex  fuel vehicles.

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