NDTV Explainer: The Benefits of a Car Running 100% on Ethanol

August 29, 2023

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(NDTV) Toyota, in a statement, said that the Ethanol-powered Innova will be the world's first BS-VI (Stage-II) electrified flex fuel vehicle. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari is set to unveil a 100 per cent ethanol fuel variant of Toyota Innova MPV on Tuesday.

Confirming the development at a media conclave last week, Mr Gadkari had said, "On August 29, I am going to launch the popular (Toyota) Innova car on 100 per cent ethanol." Ethanol comes from plants-- indicated by E100. Toyota, in a statement, said that the Ethanol-powered Innova will be the world's first BS-VI (Stage-II) electrified flex fuel vehicle.

Mt Gadkari has been at the forefront of the campaign to shift to alternative fuel options. Last year, the minister launched the Toyota Mirai EV, which runs purely on hydrogen-generated electricity. Speaking at the event, Mr Gadkari said that he was first intrigued by biofuels way back in 2004 when petrol prices started spiking. He visited Brazil to understand how a shift to biofuels could change the game.

What Biofuel Shift Means For India?

India depends on oil imports to meet fuel needs, causing great stress on the state coffers. According to Mr Gadkari, the current import bill for petroleum is around ₹ 16 lakh crore. With a shift to biofuel options such as ethanol, derived from plant-based sources like sugarcane, the oil import bills could be cut down, making the country more self-reliant to meet its fuel needs.

“If we want to become atmanirbhar (self-reliant) we have to bring this oil import to zero. At present, it is ₹16 lakh crore. This is a big loss to the economy. India needs to take more sustainable measures as pollution is a big problem in the country," Mr Gadkari was quoted as saying by Mint. READ MORE

Nitin Gadkari unveils world's first 100% ethanol powered car developed by Toyota (Economic Times; includes VIDEO)

Crucial Benefits Of Ethanol Flex-Fuel Cars In India Vs Petrol/Diesel Vehicles (The News Motion)

Gadkari unveils world’s first prototype car, says biofuel will eradicate stubble burning almost to nil (Shillong Times)

World’s first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex fuel vehicle’ launched today -- This innovative vehicle is engineered to adhere to India’s stricter emission standards- Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari; India can utilise excess ethanol potential by promoting flex fuel vehicles – Petroleum Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri (Government of India)

World's First ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’ Launched: Can Ethanol, Other Biofuels Be The Future For India? (India Times)

World's first 100% ethanol car unveiled in Delhi (The Tribune)

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Unveils Electrified FFV Prototype In India (Ethanol Producer Magazine)

Excerpt from Economic Times: Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has launched a 100% ethanol-fueled variant of Toyota's Innova car. This car is the world's first BS-VI (Stage-II), electrified flex-fuel vehicle. Gadkari expressed his desire to have vehicles running on ethanol, stating it would save money spent on petroleum imports.

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Ethanol being an indigenous, eco-friendly, and renewable fuel holds promising prospects for India, said Gadkari.

He said the day ethanol economy becomes of 2 lakh crores agricultural growth rate will reach 20% from the current 12 per cent.

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"It is the dream of all of us to have cars, two-wheelers and autos running on ethanol," he said during the event. Union Minister Hardeep Puri was also present during the event.
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"This innovative vehicle is based on the Innova Hycross and is engineered to adhere India's stricter emission standards, marking it as the first-ever BS 6 (Stage-II), electrified flex-fuel vehicle prototype globally. The forthcoming stages for this prototype encompass meticulous refinement, homologation, and and certification processes," said Gadkari on social media platform X.

He opined that biofuels can do wonders and save a lot of forex which is being spent on the import of petroleum. READ MORE

Excerpt from The News Motion: But can ethanol flex-fuel cars actually replace petrol and diesel vehicles? Here is a list of some crucial benefits that vehicles running on ethanol flex-fuel (mix of ethanol and petrol) offer over regular petrol/diesel counterparts –

Cleaner for environment

First and foremost, ethanol flex-fuel has lower tailpipe emissions as compared to a standard petrol or a diesel engine.Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than the two, and even produces fewer toxic fumes and particles upon combustion. Hence, flex-fuel vehicles become a cleaner alternative for the environment. A flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle (FFV-SHEV) like the one that was unveiled today by Nitin Gadkari uses a strong hybrid system that can run on different grades of ethanol-blended petrol, going up to 100% ethanol as well.

Cheaper than petrol, diesel
Ethanol is actually cheaper than petrol and diesel, and a higher blend of ethanol in petrol can help the government keep fuel prices in check. India currently offers a blend of 10% ethanol in petrol, with the number set to rise up to 20% in two years’ time. The government had previously announced that E20 fuel (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) will have a pan-India presence by 2025.

No dependence on crude oil
Ethanol is produced by converting sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose into cellular energy, and hence, does not rely on crude oil. This also means that ethanol is free from the fluctuating prices of crude oil, unlike other fuels like petrol and diesel. In the scenario of a rise in crude oil, petrol prices also take a hit, however, in a similar scenario ethanol prices will likely remain unchanged. Hence, increasing the amount of ethanol blend in petrol could lower the impact of rising crude oil price on the end user.

Sustainable
The production of ethanol from ingredients such as cane sugar and corn is an overall sustainable process Most of the fuel ethanol produced around the world is made by fermenting the sugar in the starches of grains, and denaturants are then added to make fuel ethanol unconsumable for humans. Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant fermentation, which makes it much more sustainable as compared to petrol or diesel.

Easier to adopt
Flex-fuel vehicles are easier to adopt as compared to say a fully battery-powered electric vehicle. Since flex-fuel vehicles also use an internal combustion engine to run, the adoption of such vehicles is easier than other green alternatives. Existing engines can even be modified by manufacturers to run a higher blend of ethanol. It should be noted that a host of vehicles in India, including mass-market two-wheelers and cars A host of cars in India are already E20 fuel compliant.

Tax benefits
India had previously expanded the excise duty exemption for biofuels to encourage the blending of higher proportions of ethanol and components of vegetable oil with petrol and diesel. The tax exemption is applicable on an ethanol portion of 12% – 15% blended with petrol. Furthermore, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had recently put forth a resounding appeal to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for a relaxation in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on flex-fuel vehicles. As of now, flex-fuel vehicles carry a 28% GST, as against the 5% GST rate applicable on EVs. Tax benefits would of course, result in the faster adoption of flex-fuel vehicles.

Would you consider purchasing a flex-fuel vehicle in the near future considering all the benefits mentioned above over petrol and diesel vehicles? READ MORE

Excerpt from Shillong Times:

The minister said that the bio fuel will eradicate the problem of stubble burning almost by 100 per cent and it will also help in doubling farmers’ income.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the prototype of the flex-fuel Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid which can run on up to 85 percent ethanol blend fuel, Gadkari said: “Today is a historic day for the entire world as first prototype is going to unveil. Earlier, Vikram Kirloskar was there and I usually took follow up about the prototype every time from him, but his demise is a big loss for us.”

He said that India is currently importing fuel worth Rs 16 lakh crore.

“And if we see the pollution graph, 40 per cent of the pollution is generated due to the fuel. I hardly stay in Delhi for two or three days and when I return back to my native place I am down with infections. Everyone knows the condition of Delhi and the level of pollution,” Gadkari said.

He said that the Haryana’s Panipat plant is generating ethanol, which is generated from the bio-waste.

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He said that he himself belongs to a farmer family and know that how much benefit it will be for farmers. He said that bio fuel will eradicate the problem of stubble burning to almost by 100 per cent.

Praising the vision of the Prime Minister for making farmers Aatmanirbhar, the Minister said that ethanol being an indigenous, eco-friendly, and renewable fuel holds promising prospects for India.

“The emphasis of the Modi government on ethanol aligns with objectives of attaining energy self-sufficiency, doubling farmers’ income, transitioning them to Urjadata while continuing to support them as Annadata, and positively impacting the environment,” he said. READ MORE