The target percentage of ethanol blended with petrol in India by the 2025 supply year is 20 per cent.
Ethanol blending is the practice of mixing ethanol, an alcohol-based fuel, with gasoline (petrol). This practice is adopted by many countries for various reasons, including reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering emissions, and boosting agricultural economies that produce ethanol feedstocks like sugarcane or corn.
In India, the government has been actively promoting ethanol blending through the National Biofuel Policy. The target is to significantly increase the percentage of ethanol mixed with petrol over the coming years.
Based on recent data:
- In the first four months of the 2023-24 supply year (starting in November), India achieved an average ethanol blending rate of 11.60 per cent.
- The government has set an intermediate target of achieving a 15 per cent ethanol blending rate for the entire 2023-24 supply year.
- Looking further ahead, the ambitious target set by the government is to blend 20 per cent ethanol with petrol by the 2025 supply year. This higher blend is often referred to as E20 fuel.
Understanding Ethanol Blending Percentages
Ethanol blending levels are typically indicated by an 'E' followed by the percentage of ethanol in the fuel mix. Common blends include:
- E0: 0% ethanol (pure petrol)
- E10: 10% ethanol, 90% petrol
- E15: 15% ethanol, 85% petrol
- E20: 20% ethanol, 80% petrol
The push towards E20 blending in India by 2025 is a key part of the country's strategy to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability. Achieving this target requires significant infrastructure development, increased ethanol production capacity, and vehicle compatibility with higher ethanol blends.
