Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches E20 Fuel in Bengaluru today

February 6, 2023 MTIMES 32 Views Biofuels Program, Breaking News, E20 Fuel, Ethanol Petrol, Green Mobility Rally, India Energy Week, India Energy Week 2023, India energy week essay, mtimes news 2 min read

Bengaluru : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launches petrol blended E20 fuel with 20 per cent ethanol at select petrol stations in 11 states and Union Territories as part of a program to increase the use of biofuels. Prime Minister inaugurated India Energy Week (IEW) 2023 in Bengaluru today.

The program aims to reduce emissions and dependence on foreign countries. Authorities say 10 percent ethanol is currently blended into gasoline, and the goal is to double the amount of ethanol by 2025.

After launching 20% ethanol petrol, PM Modi said the use of ethanol in petrol has increased from 1.5 per cent in 2014 to 10 per cent and is now increasing to 20 per cent.

Initially, 15 cities in the country will be covered, and in the coming two years, filling stations with a 20% ethanol blend will be spread across the country. The country saved Rs 54,894 crore by reducing fuel imports by 10 percent.

Ethanol-20 (petrol with 20 percent ethanol) will be available at 84 petrol stations in 11 states and union territories.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has achieved 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol five months before June 2022 and now 20 percent ethanol petrol is being delivered on a pilot basis ahead of schedule.

Ethanol Blending programme has been a key focus areas of the Government to achieve Aatmanirbharta in the field of energy. Due to the sustained efforts of the Government, Ethanol production capacity has seen a six times increase since 2013-14.