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Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Launches ETHANOL 100 Automotive Fuel

ETHANOL 100 is now available at select 183 retail outlets across five states – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, and Tamil Nadu.

March 16, 2024. By Abha Rustagi

Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs has unveiled 'ETHANOL 100,' a groundbreaking automotive fuel. The launch took place at the IndianOil Retail Outlet M/s. Irwin Road Service Station.

ETHANOL 100 is now available at select 183 retail outlets across five states – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries including Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, along with senior officials from MoP&NG and functional Directors of IndianOil.

In his address, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized that the launch of ETHANOL 100 aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister of India to transform 'Annadatas' (food providers) to 'Urjadatas' (energy providers). He hailed ETHANOL 100 as a game-changer in the transportation sector, poised to reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels.

“It reflects the government’s commitment to reducing import dependency, conserving foreign exchange, and boosting the agriculture sector. Since the Prime Minister’s announcement on E20 (20 percent ethanol blended fuel) in 2023, the E20 availability has increased to 12,000 outlets in under a year, and now, with the launch of ETHANOL 100 at 183 outlets of IndianOil, we are close to achieving the target of 20 percent ethanol blending by 2025-26. During the last 10 years these ethanol blending initiatives have enhanced farmer incomes, increased rural employment, reduced CO2 emissions equivalent to planting 1.75 crore trees and resulted in savings of INR 85,000 crore worth of foreign exchange” he stated.

Minister Puri commended Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for their proactive role in introducing various blends of ethanol with petrol nationwide. He noted that OMCs have signed long-term offtake agreements with 131 dedicated ethanol plants, expected to add an annual production design capacity of 745 crore litres. Investments in storage capacity and allied infrastructure further support higher blending percentages.

Pankaj Jain, Secretary MoPNG, underlined the initiative's significance in embracing sustainable technologies and boosting confidence in ethanol-based vehicles. He praised IndianOil for spearheading the initiative, highlighting its role in promoting ethanol and flex fuels in the energy landscape.

IndianOil Chairman Vaidya hailed the launch of ETHANOL 100 as a significant milestone towards sustainability and clean mobility, positioning India among the few countries in the world to offer this fuel option.

ETHANOL 100 promises a cleaner, greener alternative to gasoline, with lower emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. Its high-octane rating and versatility make it ideal for high-performance engines and a wide array of vehicles, showcasing its potential to become a mainstream fuel option with the right infrastructure in place.

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Policies & Regulations

Hardeep Singh Puri

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas