Hardeep Singh Puri: India’s Ethanol Drive Achieves E20 Early, Eyes Higher Blends

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has declared that “India’s ethanol journey is unstoppable”, underlining the country’s rapid progress in ethanol blending, farmer empowerment, and sustainable fuel adoption. He was speaking during a Fireside Chat Session at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit, where he detailed policy reforms, technological milestones, and future targets in India’s biofuel programme.

Ethanol Blending: From 1.53% to E20 Ahead of Time

The Minister highlighted that ethanol blending only began to accelerate after 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government implemented sweeping reforms.

In 2014, blending stood at just 1.53%. By 2022, India reached 10% ethanol blending—five months ahead of its deadline. The 20% blending target (E20), originally set for 2030, was advanced to 2025 and has already been achieved in the current Ethanol Supply Year (ESY), marking a major milestone.

Key drivers behind this success include:

• Guaranteed remunerative pricing for ethanol producers

• Approval for multiple feedstocks (sugarcane, maize, agricultural residue, bamboo)

• Rapid expansion of distillation capacity nationwide

Addressing Myths and Ensuring Engine Safety

Puri dismissed misinformation campaigns targeting ethanol fuels, stating that no cases of engine damage have been reported since E20 became the base fuel nearly a year ago. He cited Brazil’s E27 programme as evidence that higher ethanol blends are sustainable.

“Some lobbies with vested interests are trying to derail India’s ethanol revolution. They will not succeed,” he said.

Economic, Environmental, and Agricultural Benefits

The Minister outlined multiple advantages of E20 adoption:

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality

• Enhanced engine performance

• ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange savings from reduced crude oil imports

• Farmer income boost—₹1.21 lakh crore paid to farmers in the past 11 years from ethanol procurement

• Pollution control and stubble management through 2G ethanol refineries in Panipat and Numaligarh converting parali and bamboo into fuel

He also hailed the rapid growth of maize-based ethanol, which has increased from 0% in 2021–22 to 42% in 2025, calling it a “transformational shift” in India’s biofuel sector.

Flex-Fuel Vehicles and the Road Ahead

On Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), Puri said Indian automakers are already producing E85-compatible prototypes. Collaboration with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and global standards bodies will guide a phased rollout towards E25, E27, and E30 fuels.

The Ethanol Blending Roadmap (2020–25), combined with BIS standards and fiscal incentives, will support the transition. The Minister said the early success of E20 proves both industry readiness and public acceptance.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel: The Next Frontier

Puri also shared updates on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) development. The Ministry is working with oil marketing companies, airlines, and global technology partners to scale SAF production.

Key SAF targets:

• 1% blending for international flights by 2027

• 2% blending by 2028

• Gradual scaling as production expands

An example is the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. refinery in Panipat, which is producing SAF from used cooking oil—demonstrating innovation in waste-to-fuel technologies.

Ethanol as a Pillar of Energy Security and Climate Action

Puri concluded by emphasising that ethanol blending is about more than fuel mixing—it’s about energy security, farmer empowerment, green job creation, and climate responsibility.

Over 238.68 lakh metric tonnes of crude imports have been avoided, translating to ₹1.40 lakh crore in forex savings, while turning farmers into “Urjadatas” (energy providers).

“India’s ethanol revolution is here to stay. It’s clean, it’s profitable, and it’s for the people,” the Minister said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to scaling biofuels and sustainable energy solutions.