Government to Establish 100 Ethanol Fuel Stations in Delhi-NCR and Maharashtra

Government Launches Ethanol Fuel Stations in Major Cities

The government has initiated a plan to roll out 50-100 ethanol fuel stations in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur, with the goal of reducing imports of fossil fuels. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced this plan on Thursday, stating that the government aims to expand the network of ethanol fuel stations to 500 by the end of 2026.

Speaking at the launch of India's first flex fuel car by Maruti Suzuki, Puri expressed hope that India will have 5,000 ethanol fuel stations by the end of 2027. The minister emphasized that the expansion of ethanol fuel stations will not only reduce imports of fossil fuels but also contribute to a cleaner mobility ecosystem.

According to Puri, the government is also working on supportive measures such as pricing support, road tax concessions, availability of E85 testing fuel, special identifiers for FFVs and retail outlets, consumer awareness initiatives, and development of storage and dispensing infrastructure to increase adoption of ethanol fuel stations.

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The minister highlighted that reducing import of fossil fuels, which is around $120 billion, will have a significant impact on the country's economy. He also noted that the entry of flex-fuel technology into the passenger vehicle segment is not merely a product launch, but also the beginning of a new chapter in India's energy transition.

Puri credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for balancing the three key pillars of India's energy strategy - availability, affordability, and sustainability. The minister highlighted that India has maintained uninterrupted supplies of crude oil, LPG, and natural gas despite global volatility and has increased domestic LPG production from 32 TMT per day to nearly 52 TMT per day.

Comparison of Ethanol Blending in Petrol

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The minister noted that India has already achieved 20 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol, resulting in foreign exchange savings of Rs 1.84 lakh crore through the substitution of 302 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. Puri also emphasized that large-scale adoption of flex-fuel technology in the passenger vehicle segment can significantly multiply the impact of ethanol-based mobility, unlocking 311.8 crore litres of additional ethanol demand and Rs 12,403 crore additional income for farmers.

The government's plan to promote ethanol fuel stations is part of its efforts to reduce reliance on imported crude oil and cut carbon emissions. With the successful implementation of this plan, India is poised to become a leader in the energy transition, achieving a cleaner mobility ecosystem and stronger energy security.