Govt brings forward by two years target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol

The government had decided to bring forward its 20% ethanol blending in petrol by two years. Most of the additional ethanol production in the country will come from sugar cane processing.

India's government will bring forward to 2023 from 2025 the possibility of fuel companies selling gasoline containing up to 20% of ethanol (E20), according to brokers and a publication in the country's official gazette on Wednesday. It is the second time India's government anticipates sales of the E20 fuel, which originally would happen only in 2030, as the country seeks to cut its oil import bill and reduce carbon dioxide pollution in cities. "The central government hereby directs that the oil companies shall sell ethanol-blended petrol with percentage of ethanol up to 20% as per the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications, in the whole of the states and union territories," the publication said.