India to sell only 20% ethanol-blended petrol

India aims to sell only blended petrol with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) from 2025-26.

According to officials in the know, all new vehicles sold in the country will also need to be E20 compliant from 2025 onward. This move may force automobile manufactures to reconfigure their existing petrol vehicle offerings to operate using the blended fuel.

Speaking to journalists a day after the Union Cabinet hiked the ethanol procurement price, Petroleum Secretary, Tarun Kapoor said, “The target is to only sell E20 petrol across the country from 2025 onward.

India currently has more than 600 petrol pumps selling 20 percent ethanol-blended gasoline (E20) presently.

Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) started selling E20 petrol in February 2023 and it is currently being sold at more than 1,900 retail outlets across the country.

E20 fuel is a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and the rest fossil-based fuel. "Government is promoting biofuels with the broader objectives of reducing import dependency, generating employment, providing better remuneration to farmers, for associated environmental benefits, promoting better waste management practices