Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme: Production, Significance, Benefits, Challenges Faced And More Details

The Ethanol Blended Petrol Program was established in 2003 to encourage the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable fuels while also reducing India’s reliance on imported energy. The government has set a goal of 10% biofuel blending by 2022 and 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2030, starting with a 5% blend. The initiative is carried out in compliance with the Federal Biofuels Policy.

Oil marketing corporations (OMCs) will purchase ethanol from domestic suppliers at government-set pricing under this arrangement. Sugarcane was the only source of ethanol until 2018. The administration has now expanded the program’s scope and includes the production of ethanol from grain products like maize, bajra, and fruit and vegetable waste, among other things.

Ethanol Blending Benefits

The majority of the car fuels we use come from the gradual tectonic activity of evolutionary change, which is why they’re also called fossil fuels. Ethanol, on the other hand, is a biofuel, meaning it is made mostly from the processing of organic compounds (hence, it is a biofuel). In India, ethanol is mostly produced by the fermentation of sugarcane.

Ethanol is regarded as renewable because it is an organic fuel. Because ethanol has a high oxygen concentration, it allows engines to burn fuel more thoroughly, lowering pollutants. As a result, this procedure will aid in the reduction of the country’s environmental impact. By blending 20% ethanol into gasoline, the vehicle fuel import bill may be cut by $4 billion annually, or Rs 30,000 cr.

Another significant advantage of ethanol mixing is the additional cash it provides to farmers. Sugarcane and cereal grains are both sources of ethanol. As a result, farmers can supplement their revenue by selling surplus food to ethanol mix producers.

Production Of Ethanol

The Entity of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is the nation’s nodal ministry for promoting biofuels plants. The cabinet has enacted the manufacturing and purchase of ethanol made from biofuel materials such as C & B strong sugar, molasses, cane sugar syrup, excess rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), and corn.

Ethanol Blending Program Challenges

Current legislation in the state allows the manufacturing of ethanol from sucrose, sugar, syrup, corn, and degraded foodgrains that are unfit for human use. Furthermore, excess rice with FCI is permitted. Some states have insisted that rice purchased by individual states be used to make ethanol. However, there remains the issue of redirecting agricultural goods from people’s use to the production of bioethanol when many people in the nation still suffer from malnourishment.

Vehicle makers have a problem in developing ethanol-compatible automotive components in collaboration with suppliers. Engine optimization for greater ethanol mixes should be prioritised.