Lok Sabha Question No. 358 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Transition from Fossil Fuels to Biofuels
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 358 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO BIOFUELS

*358. SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a) the vision of the Government for the transition from fossil fuels to biofuels benefiting country's economy and environment; and (b) the expected timeline for the launch of ethanol-powered vehicles in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  & (b) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF THE LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  358  ANSWERED  ON  19.12.2024 ASKED  BY  SHRI  DINESHBHAI  MAKWANA  REGARDING  TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO BIOFUELS.

(a) The Government is promoting biofuels with the broader objectives of  reducing  import  dependency,  generating    employment,  providing better remuneration to farmers, for associated environmental benefits,  promoting  better  waste  management  practices,  etc.  To promote the use of biofuels across the country various programmes such  as  Ethanol  Blended  Petrol  (EBP)  Programme,  wherein  Oil Marketing Companies  (OMCs)  sell petrol blended with ethanol, Biodiesel  blending  programme  wherein  biodiesel  is  blended  with diesel and Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT)  initiative  wherein  Compressed  Bio  Gas  (CBG)  is  marketed along  with  Compressed  Natural  Gas  (CNG)  have  been  taken  up. During the last ten years, ethanol blending in petrol by Public Sector OMCs has resulted in approximate savings of more than Rs.1,08,655 crore of foreign exchange as on 30.09.2024 and net CO2 emissions reduction of about 557 lakh metric tonnes. During the period of 2014 -  2024  ethanol  blending  percentage  rose  from  1.53%  in  Ethanol Supply  Year  (ESY)2013-14  to  14.6%  in  ESY  2023-24.  Further,  to facilitate  the  development  of  Motor  Vehicles  running  on  non-fossil fuels  like  Bio-CNG,  Biofuels  etc.  the  Government  has  notified  mass emission  standards  in  respect  of  blends  of  ethanol  with  gasoline, flex-fuel,  Biodiesel, Bio-CNG, blends of Methanol with gasoline, dual fuel etc. (b)  From  1 st   April,  2023  onwards  vehicles  introduced  in  the  market have been made E20 material compliant. Further, Automobile Industry is ready with two wheeler Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) for the introduction  in  the  market  from  Quarter  3  of  the  current  financial year. Some of the automobile manufacturers have already announced the  flex  fuel  vehicle  and  others  are  getting  it  ready.  For  fourwheelers, the automobile industry has committed for introduction in the Financial Year 2025-26. Accordingly, 11 units of Two-wheeler FFV manufactured by 7 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), 5 units of four-wheelers from 5 OEMs and 1 unit of three-wheeler from 1 OEM are  being  displayed  in  the  upcoming  Bharat  Mobility  Global  Expo 2025.

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