Context

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organized a technology demonstration on ‘Ethanol Adoption-Flex Fuel Vehicles in India’ at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi in order to promote the ethanol blended petrol usage in the country.

Highlights of the event:

• Aim: To demonstrate the readiness of automobile manufacturers for ethanol adoption through multiple segments of FFVs slated to be launched, particularly in the four-wheeler and two-wheeler segments.
• The vehicle features and technological developments were showcased to emphasize the use of FFVs and future possibilities.

The Flex-fuel technology:

• A flex fuel, or flexible fuel, vehicle has an internal combustion engine (ICE), but unlike a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, this can run on more than one type of fuel, or even a mixture of fuels.
• The most common versions use a blend of petrol and ethanol or methanol, but these engines are also equipped to run on 100 per cent petrol or ethanol as well.
• This is made possible by equipping the engine with a fuel mix sensor and an engine control module (ECM) programming that senses and automatically adjusts for any ratio of designated fuels

India’s ethanol blended petrol programme:

• The Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme was launched in 2003 with an aim to promote the use of renewable and environmentally friendly fuels and reduce India’s import dependence for energy security.
• Starting with 5% blending, the government has set a target of 10% ethanol blending by 2022 and 20% blending (E20) by 2030.
• The programme is implemented in accordance with the National Policy on Biofuels.
• Under this programme, oil marketing companies (OMCs) will procure ethanol from domestic sources at prices fixed by the government.
• Till 2018, only sugarcane was used to derive ethanol. Now, the government has extended the ambit of the scheme to include foodgrains like maize, bajra, fruit and vegetable waste, etc. to produce ethanol.
• This move helps farmers gain additional income by selling the extra produce and also broadens the base for ethanol production in the country.