In Shorts:
- Future Vision: Gadkari calls ethanol the key to India’s clean energy future.
- Safe & Efficient: Assures minimal performance impact on vehicles using E20 fuel.
- Farmers & Economy: Promises higher farm incomes and reduced oil imports.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has once again championed ethanol as the “fuel of the future,” making a strong case for its adoption across India. Speaking at a recent event, he dismissed concerns that 20% ethanol-blended petrol, known as E20, could harm vehicle engines, calling such claims unfounded and misleading.
According to Gadkari, rigorous testing has confirmed that vehicles designed for ethanol blends face no damage, and any drop in fuel efficiency is minimal—around 1–2%—which can be easily addressed through minor engine adjustments. He emphasized that the benefits of switching to ethanol far outweigh any small performance changes, adding that corrosion risks are well-managed under current safety standards.
The minister also highlighted the economic and agricultural advantages of ethanol adoption. Growing demand for the biofuel is already pushing up prices for crops like maize, giving farmers better returns. Gadkari believes this could significantly boost the agricultural sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP.
Beyond the farm, ethanol blending is set to cut India’s dependence on imported crude oil, slash carbon emissions, and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable transport system. Industry support for ethanol has been growing, and the government remains committed to expanding production and distribution networks to make it a mainstream fuel choice.
Gadkari’s message was clear—ethanol is not just a fuel alternative, it’s a pathway to a stronger economy, healthier environment, and energy-independent India.
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