Ethanol Blending Beyond E19: Delays in India’s New Policy
Why in the news
India’s plan to move beyond E19 (19% ethanol in petrol) to a 27-100% range was hit by supply, demand and geopolitical obstacles, which delayed the new ethanol policy.
Key facts
- Current blend: E19; proposed range: 27-100%.
- Savings credited to blending: ₹1.1 trillion of foreign exchange.
- EBP goals: 10% by 2021-22, 20% by 2025.
About ethanol
- Made by fermenting farm products and raw materials; also called grain alcohol, ethyl alcohol or EtOH.
- A renewable fuel that can be blended with gasoline and acts as an octane booster.
- Feedstocks: corn, sorghum, barley, sugar cane, sugar beets, crop residues, wood and grasses.
- Byproducts: corn oil, protein feeds and distillers dried grains (DDG), the last used as animal feed.
Uses and role in India
| Area | Point |
|---|---|
| Fuel | High-octane, lower evaporative emissions, less flammable than petrol |
| Economy | Creates value from crops like corn and sugar beets and opens new markets for sugarcane farmers |
| Energy security | Trims crude oil imports and supports the spirits industry |
| Environment | Cuts harmful emissions and improves air quality |
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
- Government initiative to raise the share of ethanol blended with petrol.
- Blending means mixing ethanol with gasoline to lower fossil fuel use.
Exam angle
- Terms: E19, EBP Programme, DDG, octane enhancer.
- Targets: 10% (2021-22) and 20% (2025).