The use of ethanol instead of petrol is being promoted in India. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked an important question to the central government. The court said that if 100% ethanol vehicles are being allowed, where will this fuel come from and how will it be supplied? Attorney General R Venkataramani, who was present on behalf of the government, said that for this the system of production will have to be changed on a large scale.
On Thursday, October 29, a bench of Justice MM Sundaresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale was hearing a case related to distribution of ethanol. Meanwhile, the court raised this question referring to the recent news.
100% ethanol vehicles are allowed
In fact, the Road Transport Ministry notified the changes in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 on October 26. Under this, such flex-fuel vehicles are now allowed, which can run on E100 i.e. fuel consisting almost entirely of ethanol.
Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on various blends of gasoline and ethanol. These are different from normal petrol vehicles, as they can use fuel with higher ethanol content. For example, E85 contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, while E100 contains almost all fuel ethanol.
However, currently the government has not given any new target for the amount of ethanol blended in petrol. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on October 27 that the central government has no immediate plans to increase the ethanol blend in petrol beyond 20%.
The court also emphasized on the benefits of farmers
During the hearing, the Supreme Court said that the matter should not be limited to the supply of fuel. In this it is necessary to pay attention to the benefits of the common people, the environment and the condition of the farmers.
Justice Sundaresh said that the aspect of empowering farmers is very important, but it is not being discussed much. The court said that common people living in the country’s villages and farmers should also benefit from such policies.
The Attorney General assured that while presenting his arguments in the case, he will also talk about issues related to farmers. During the hearing, a lawyer said that farmers could also benefit in some way by promoting ethanol. Another lawyer said that the interests of farmers have also been kept in mind while making the central government’s policy.
What is the controversy over the supply of ethanol?
The case before the Supreme Court relates to the distribution of fuel for the ethanol supply year 2025-26. On June 30, the court stayed the Karnataka High Court’s directive directing it to take a decision on increasing ethanol allocation.
The matter reached the Supreme Court after an oil company’s petition. The company said the high court order may affect the national policy of mixing 20% ethanol in petrol. The Karnataka High Court had asked Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil to consider the ethanol producer’s demand. The producer had asked for higher allocation of ethanol for the financial year 2025-26.
According to the High Court, those ethanol plants built under the government’s policy, which contractually supply ethanol only to oil companies, should not be deprived of priority benefits stipulated in long-term purchase agreements. The Supreme Court has fixed the next hearing of this case in November. It remains to be seen what is decided next on issues related to ethanol supply, farmers’ interest and its blending in petrol.
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