MUMBAI: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasized on its use of ethanol in vehicles, describing it as a better option than other fuels. Gadkari said that ‘flex-fuel engines’ will be made compulsory in the coming days. Speaking at an event of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank, Gadkari referred to a Russian technology that could equalize the ‘calorific value’ of petrol and ethanol. Flex fuel – is an alternative fuel made from a combination of gasoline, methanol or ethanol.
If this happens, then all petrol pumps can be replaced with ethanol pumps. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari appealed to the Maharashtra government to give permission to auto-rickshaws running on 100 percent ethanol in western Maharashtra. At the same time, the central government on Wednesday approved ethanol extracted from sugarcane for blending into petrol for the marketing year 2021-22 starting December, as part of its target of achieving 20 percent doping (adulterated level of ethanol with petrol) by 2025. The price has been increased by up to Rs 1.47 per liter.
Higher blending of ethanol in petrol will help India cut its oil import expenditure and will benefit sugarcane farmers as well as sugar mills. Referring to his recent meeting with vehicle manufacturer Kirloskar and representatives of Toyota, Gadkari said, “They have designed cars with flex (flexible) engines. Flex engine means in which 100% petrol or ethanol can be used. It has been made according to Euro 6 norms. I am going to make flex engine mandatory.
Gadkari said in a light-hearted manner, ‘Don’t use petrol. You don’t need to agitate on rising fuel prices. Ethanol will cost Rs 62 and it will be an import substitute and it is cost effective and pollution free. Emphasizing on the use of green technology for vehicles, Gadkari said that a green hydrogen car was used in Delhi. Will go.