Date and Location of Launch:
On March 15, 2024, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, inaugurated Ethanol 100 (E100 fuel) at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL) Irwin Road Service Station in New Delhi. The event was attended by key figures including Pankaj Jain, Secretary of MoPNG, and Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IOCL, along with senior officials from the ministry.
Overview of Ethanol 100 (E100 Fuel): Ethanol 100, commonly referred to as E100, is a pure ethanol fuel, positioned as a sustainable alternative to gasoline. It emits significantly fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants, thus helping combat climate change and enhance air quality. The fuel boasts a high-octane rating of 100-105, making it suitable for high-performance engines and ensuring efficient power output with minimal environmental impact. E100 is compatible with flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can operate on any blend of ethanol and gasoline.
Distribution and Impact: Post-launch, E100 will be available at 183 selected retail outlets across five states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to reduce import dependency, conserve foreign exchange, and support the agricultural sector.
Government’s Ethanol Blending Initiatives:
- Previous Steps: In 2023, the government introduced a 20% ethanol-blended fuel (E20), which is now available across approximately 12,000 outlets nationwide.
- Future Goals: The government aims to achieve 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2024-25 and 30% blending (E30) by 2029-30. These efforts have already contributed to significant environmental benefits, such as reducing CO2 emissions equivalent to the impact of planting 1.75 crore trees and saving around Rs 85,000 crore in foreign exchange over the past decade.
Strategic Developments: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been active in promoting ethanol-blended petrol, having established long-term contracts with 131 dedicated ethanol production facilities, set to collectively add an annual capacity of 745 crore liters.
Leadership at MoPNG:
- Union Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri (Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh)
- Minister of State: Rameswar Teli (Represents Dibrugarh, Assam)
This initiative not only supports India’s energy security needs but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices and industrial growth through the increased use of biofuels.
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