Auto firms to make 100% ethanol run vehicles, says Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that several Indian auto companies are setting up manufacturing facilities to produce cars and two-wheelers that run entirely on ethanol. He said that this marks automotive industry’s significant shift towards ethanol-powered vehicles.

To showcase this technological advancement, Gadkari arrived at Parliament in a Toyota vehicle capable of running on 100 percent ethanol. He highlighted that this vehicle is a world-first, featuring a flex engine that complies with Euro 6 emission standards while achieving net-zero emissions. The minister emphasized that the ethanol used in these vehicles can be derived from various sources, including sugarcane juice, molasses, and corn.

Previously, Toyota had announced plans to invest Rs 20,000 crore to set up a plant for producing flex-fuel cars in Maharashtra. Gadkari also mentioned that other major manufacturers, including Tata and Suzuki, are actively developing 100 percent ethanol or flex-engine vehicles.

The two-wheeler segment is not far behind, with prominent manufacturers like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero working on flex-engine motorcycles and scooters. This development signifies a comprehensive approach to ethanol adoption across various vehicle categories.

Gadkari envisions a future where ethanol pumps will be as commonplace as petrol pumps, providing a new market for farmers and reducing India’s dependence on fuel imports. He stressed that this transition would not only reduce pollution and costs but also significantly benefit the agricultural sector.

The minister’s statements follow the unveiling of a prototype 100 percent ethanol-run, Bharat Stage (BS)-VI-compliant electrified flex-fuel car in August 2023. This prototype, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motors, was based on the Toyota Innova HyCross model and demonstrated the capability to cover 40 percent of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 percent on electric power, with the petrol engine remaining inactive.

Gadkari emphasized the potential economic impact of this shift, describing the ethanol industry as a boon for farmers. As per him, the increasing demand for ethanol will reshape India’s agricultural economy, providing new opportunities and markets for the farming community.

This move towards ethanol-powered vehicles represents a significant step in India’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, decrease reliance on fossil fuel imports, and support its agricultural sector, aligning with broader goals of sustainability and economic self-reliance.