Latest Updates on Ethanol E20

Govt notifies additional condition for export of 2nd generation ethanol

The government on Wednesday notified additional policy condition for the export of second-generation ethanol, which is produced through materials such as bagasse, wood waste, and industrial waste. It said export of second generation ethanol, which is produced through cellulosic material such as bagasse, wood waste, lignocellulosic feedstocks -- agricultural and forestry residues such as rice and wheat straw, corn -- and non-food crops like grasses, algae and having low carbon-dioxide emissions or high GHG (greenhouse gas) reduction, and which do not compete with food crops for land use "is permitted" for fuel and non-fuel purposes. The permission, however, is subject to a valid export authorisation and feedstock certification from the relevant competent authority. "Additional policy condition for export of second generation ethanol is notified with immediate effect," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. In a trade notice, it said exporters are ...

Will 'assess' ethanol-blending plan before setting higher targets: Puri

Hardeep Singh Puri said India has met the 20 per cent ethanol blending target six years ahead of schedule but further increases will be reviewed amid concerns over vehicle efficiency

Odisha plans to supply broken rice for ethanol as paddy cultivation rises

The Odisha government is planning to supply broken rice for ethanol production, with more farmers taking up paddy cultivation following an increase in the procurement rate, officials said on Tuesday. The state has the main ethanol plant in Bargarh district, which uses both rice grain and rice straw to produce the item for fuel blending, they said. There are smaller ethanol plants in the state as well, utilising grain feedstock, with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) allocating surplus rice to them for the ethanol blended petrol (EBP) programme. A discussion regarding the proposal was held at the first meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for procurement for the Kharif 2025-26 season on Monday, officials said. The meeting, chaired by Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, who is in charge of the Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Department, discussed the preparation of a roadmap for post-paddy purchase management, they said. The government has planned to procure the Kharif crops by the e

India's nationwide rollout of E20 ethanol fuel sparks confusion, panic

E20 is petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, an alcohol mainly produced from sugarcane and grains such as maize and rice

Balrampur, Rajshree zoom up to 20%; why sugar stocks are sweetening?

The government has allowed sugar mills, distilleries to make ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup and all types of molasses without any restrictions on volumes in Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-2026.

SC dismisses PIL against E20 policy, backs ethanol blending programme

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the E20 ethanol blending policy, reinforcing India's push for cleaner fuels and support for sugarcane farmers

20% ethanol fuel cuts mileage but is safe, say automakers amid complaints

India set a 2025 target years ago for 20 per cent ethanol blending in fuel, called E20, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on clean energy

SC to hear on Sept 1 plea over sale of 20% ethanol blended petrol

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea which has challenged the nationwide rollout of 20 percent Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP-20), alleging that millions of motorists have been forced to use fuel not designed for their vehicles. The public interest litigation (PIL) is listed for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai on September 1. The plea, filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra, has sought a direction to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to ensure availability of ethanol-free petrol at all fuel stations. It has also sought a direction to the authorities to mandatorily label ethanol content on all petrol pumps and dispensing units, making it clearly visible to consumers, and also to ensure that consumers were informed about ethanol compatibility of their vehicles at the time of fuel dispensing. The plea said the authorities be directed to conduct a "nationwide impact study on mechanical degradation and efficiency loss due to ethanol blended fu

Japan to fund $400 million bamboo biofuel refinery project in India

Japan Bank for International Cooperation and private banks to invest around $408 million in bamboo-to-biofuel refinery in Assam, marking Japan's largest clean energy investment in northeast India

No challenge in using E20 fuel in E10-compliant cars: Renault India

Issuing clarifications on the queries raised by customers related to the use of E20 fuel in vehicles tested and certified for E10, the company said it conducted 'rigorous' durability tests

E20 rollout linked to wear and tear in 28% of older petrol vehicles: Survey

Over one-third of vehicle owners also report reduced mileage since E20 petrol introduction; many urge govt to consider optional, lower-priced sale

'Fuel efficiency may decline by 2-5% due to 20% ethanol-blended petrol'

The usage of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in vehicles could lead to a 2-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency, depending on the type of cars, according to automotive industry experts. In the midst of social media debate over the impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, automotive engineers working with some of the major automakers, whom PTI spoke to, said that in older vehicles, which are not E20 compliant, there could be erosion of gaskets, fuel rubber hoses and pipes in the long term, but not immediately. "There can be a drop in mileage ranging from 2-5 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle. This is purely because of the lower calorific value of ethanol compared to petrol," said an expert requesting anonymity. Earlier this month, the Oil Ministry clarified that "the critiques suggest that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced". However, it did not state the percentage drop in fuel efficiency. "The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been margin

India's ethanol drive threatens its edible oil self-sufficiency goal

A DDGS glut is hurting oilmeal demand, lowering oilseed prices, and driving Indian farmers to grow more corn and rice instead of soybeans and groundnuts, despite New Delhi's push to boost output

India achieves 20% ethanol blending target 5 yrs ahead of schedule: Isma

India has achieved its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol five years ahead of schedule, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said on Friday. The achievement represents dramatic growth from the modest 1.5 per cent blending rate when the program began in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, ISMA said in a statement. The ethanol blending program has delivered substantial economic and environmental benefits, according to ISMA data. Ethanol production surged from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 661 crore litres blended as of June 2025, while generating 698 lakh tonnes in carbon dioxide emission reductions. The program has provided significant financial benefits to India's agricultural sector, with farmers receiving Rs 1.18 lakh crore and distilleries earning Rs 1.96 lakh crore over the period. The initiative has also helped India save Rs 1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange costs. "This achievement is a monumental leap for ...

Govt to finalise 27% ethanol blending norms by August: Nitin Gadkari

The Indian government will introduce norms for 27% ethanol blending in petrol by the end of August as part of efforts to cut fuel imports and reduce pollution

Isma urges Centre to ban ethanol imports, flags ₹40,000 crore risk

Industry body says allowing ethanol imports for fuel use will derail biofuel sector investments and affect timely payments to sugarcane farmers