Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that a fully ethanol-powered car will be launched in October and the vehicle will not require petrol at all. Speaking at an event in Delhi, Gadkari said that the cost of running this car will be the same as that of a petrol car which costs around Rs 25 per litre. Gadkari made the announcement in response to criticism of the government’s E20 ethanol blend policy. In recent months, the impact of this policy on vehicle engines has been debated in Parliament and on social media.

What about 100% ethanol cars?

Gadkari said he has been invited to launch Toyota’s Innova flex-fuel car in October. This car is designed to run on 100 percent ethanol instead of petrol. It claims that the car will also generate 60 percent electricity while running.

As reported by ‘Business Today’, Gadkari said that ethanol is used in 19 countries of the world and there are no complaints from any vehicle in India today. In October, I have been invited to the launch of Toyota’s Innova car, which will run on 100 percent flex-fuel.

Complaints about ethanol-blended fuel

Gadkari said India has not yet received any complaints about vehicles running on ethanol-blended fuel. His statement comes at a time when concerns are being raised among the general public and MPs about the impact of E20 petrol on fuel efficiency and engine performance.

The government has already said it has received no major or confirmed complaints from carmakers, automobile associations or consumer groups about E20’s impact on mileage, engine health or maintenance costs. The government cited lab studies and field tests on engine durability and material compatibility to support its point.

What about other flex-fuel vehicles in India?

Toyota’s Innova is not the first such ethanol-only vehicle for India. In June, Maruti Suzuki launched the country’s first flex-fuel passenger car. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on ethanol-gasoline blends (from E20 to pure ethanol), giving owners the freedom to choose based on fuel availability.

Bike taxis were also encouraged

Along with the ethanol announcement, Gadkari also emphasized on increasing the use of bike taxi services. He said the app-based platform could provide two-wheeler owners with an additional source of income without any new investment. He said that state transport ministers have been asked to open up this option to people in villages who already own two-wheelers. He claims that if it is adopted in all states, it can provide employment to crores of people.

Reason behind promoting ethanol in India

He had said similar things at a separate event to launch Madhya Pradesh’s new public bus service. He said ethanol makes farmers an “energy provider” and cited the rise in corn prices since ethanol production began. He has consistently advocated for the promotion of flex-fuel, electric and hydrogen vehicles as alternatives to petrol and diesel. Ethanol has become a hot topic in India, which is why the E20 blending policy is in place. Under this policy, 20 percent ethanol is added to petrol and its impact on vehicle mileage and engine health has raised concerns in Parliament and on social media.