Indian auto companies to make ethanol-run vehicles: Nitin Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari, India's Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, made a significant announcement on Monday regarding the automotive industry's shift towards ethanol-powered vehicles. He revealed that numerous Indian companies are in the process of establishing manufacturing facilities to produce cars and two-wheelers that run entirely on ethanol.

To demonstrate this technological advancement, Gadkari arrived at Parliament in a Toyota-manufactured vehicle capable of running on 100 per centethanol. 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.

The automotive industry in India is witnessing a surge in investment and innovation in this area. Toyota has announced plans to invest INR 20,000 crore (approximately USD2.4 billion) to set up a plant for producing flex-fuel cars in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Gadkari also mentioned that other major manufacturers, including Tata and Suzuki, are actively developing 100 per centethanol or flex-engine vehicles.

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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 per centethanol-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 per centof its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per centon electric power, with the petrol engine remaining inactive.

While flex-fuel vehicles have been introduced internationally before, with Toyota launching a flex-fuel version of its Corolla in 2022, India is now poised to produce flex-fuel vehicles that comply with its own stringent BS-VI emission standards.

Gadkari emphasised the potential economic impact of this shift, describing the ethanol industry as a boon for farmers. He anticipates that the increasing demand for ethanol will reshape India's agricultural economy, providing new opportunities and markets for the farming community.

The minister's vision extends beyond just vehicle production. He foresees the establishment of ethanol pumps alongside existing petrol pumps, creating a new infrastructure to support this transition. Gadkari repeatedly stressed the "swadeshi" (indigenous) nature of ethanol production, highlighting how farmers will be the primary beneficiaries of this technological and economic shift.

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.