The government has increased its target for ethanol blending in petrol to 30 percent in the next five years. Initially, the goal was 20 percent ethanol blending by 2030, but this milestone was achieved five years ahead of schedule. As of April 1, 2025, fuel stations nationwide must sell E20 (20 percent ethanol) petrol.
- Govt reviewing whether to deploy E30 fuel in a phased or a unified rollout
- The initial goal of 20 percent ethanol blending was achieved 5 years ahead of schedule
Ethanol blending in petrol to increase to 30 percent by 2030
According to a report from InCred, Deepak Ballani, director general of the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association, confirmed the development, stating, “This year, we’ve already done around 19-20 percent. This is five years earlier than the target for 2030.”
Govt deciding between phased and unified rollouts for E30 fuel
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also given an inter-ministerial green light for the revised 30 percent ethanol blending target. To achieve this goal, the government is evaluating whether to go with a phased or a unified strategy. The former would likely entail E30 fuel being dispatched to cities tier-wise in stages, while the latter would see a blanket deployment across the country.
How E30 fuel bodes for current and older petrol cars
While higher ethanol-petrol blending helps increase jobs for farmers, lower tail-pipe emissions and decrease India’s reliance on crude oil imports, it may spell bad news for petrol car owners. At present, all petrol cars sold in India are compatible with E20 fuel. However, should the ethanol content in petrol rise, especially beyond 25 percent, the engine’s power output and fuel efficiency can take a hit. Older petrol cars that aren’t E20-compliant stand a greater risk of the same.
Ethanol is also corrosive in nature as it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and can damage rubber and plastic parts such as the fuel tank, seals, gaskets, and fuel lines in cases of prolonged exposure.
Also see:
Analysis: Why India is pursuing ethanol as an automotive fuel
‘Flex fuel availability key for commercial production of compatible cars’: Maruti MD
