The Indian government is pretty serious about its plans to transition to alternative fuels like ethanol in future automobiles. This is evident by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari's statement that many Indian companies are setting up plants to manufacture 100 percent ethanol-based cars and two-wheelers in India.
Gadkari Using FLex-Fuel Fuel Vehicle
Nitin Gadkari was spotted travelling in a Toyota car, which he claimed is the world's first vehicle that gets a flex engine and complies with the Euro 6 emission norms. He further claimed that the car generates no emissions while running on ethanol produced from sugarcane juice, molasses and corn. Toyota had recently declared an investment of Rs 20,000 crore to make a flex car facility in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Toyota's Flex Fuel Cars
Nitin Gadkari showcased a prototype of a Toyota Kirloskar-developed 100 per cent ethanol-based BS VI-compliant certified flex-fuel car in the form of the Toyota Innova HyCross in August of 2023. This model is capable of completing 40 per cent of the distance on ethanol and the remaining 60 per cent through electric power. Toyota has plans to transition the prototype cars into mass-production models. He said that farmers would massively benefit from flex vehicles. He called ethanol 'swadeshi' and said that farmers will experience all of its advantages.
Other Manufacturers Catching Up
The minister claimed that Suzuki and Tata are working on automobiles with flex engines or 100 per cent ethanol. He also said that flex engine bikes and scooters are being pproduced by Bajaj, Hero, and TVS. He further claimed that other producers were also trying to release a flex engine. Farmers will further have ethanol pumps, just like petrol and diesel pumps. For reference, flex-fuel vehicles have been available internationally before. Toyota also introduced a flex-fuel version of its popular sedan Corolla in 2022. According to the minister, India is now ready to manufacture flex-fuel vehicles that can follow India's BS-VI emission standards.
Why Promote E100 Cars
There are multiple benefits of 100% ethanol fuel-based cars. The first is enhanced energy security by reducing dependence on imported crude and supporting domestic agriculture through increased demand for crops like sugarcane and corn. Secondly, these vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and lower air pollution, contributing to better public health and helping India meet its climate goals. Thirdly, these cars will offer economic advantages by creating jobs in farming, production, and related industries, as well as promoting technological advancements in alternative fuels.
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