The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli said that the government has undertaken several supply and demand-side interventions since 2014 which has enabled improvement in ethanol blending from an average of 1.53% during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to 7.93% during ongoing ESY 2020-21 as on July 12, 2021.
He said the information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
He pointed out that the Notified National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, provided an indicative target of blending 20% ethanol in petrol by 2030.
Also, the ministry cited that an Interdepartmental Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary NITI Aayog has submitted a “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25” which outlines the journey for 20% ethanol blending in the country.
On June 02, 2021, the ministry stated that OMCs shall sell ethanol-blended petrol with the percentage of ethanol up to 20% as per BIS Specifications in the whole of India and Union Territories and shall come into effect from April 01, 2023.
Later on June 05, 2021, E-100 pilot projects have been launched at Pune city by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
According to the minister, to enhance fuel choice and facilitate the sale of E-100 fuel, MoP&NG vide its order dated March 22, 2021, has amended the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005 by permitting the direct sale of Bio-ethanol (E100) by an oil company for use as standalone fuel or blending with motor spirit, for compatible automobiles to all consumers, by the standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
The above news was originally posted on www.indiainfoline.com
