Topic
biofuel
Commodities E20 Petrol Row: Chief Economic Adviser Nageswaran Calls for Lower Ethanol Blend at Pumps
Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has called on the government to restore lower-ethanol petrol such as E10 alongside the mandatory E20 blend, according to Business Today. The call follows consumer concerns over vehicle performance and damage, and comes as the Supreme Court hears challenges to the E20 policy. The Centre last month said it had no proposal to bring back lower blends, and has defended the programme as cutting imported crude dependence.
Manufacturing E20 petrol: Carmakers' internal data flags contamination in 18 states; SIAM complaint withdrawn
Internal data from Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra flagged elevated chloride and moisture contamination in E20 petrol samples from 18 Indian states. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers withdrew its complaint to the government after saying some figures required authentication. The dispute highlights fuel-quality concerns in India's E20 rollout.
Commodities Ethanol supplies cross 800 crore litres: Why India's next challenge is demand
India's cumulative ethanol supplies crossed 800 crore litres in ESY 2025-26, according to AIDA data. Grain-based feedstocks, led by maize and surplus FCI grains, now account for 76% of July supplies, while sugarcane-based ethanol's share slipped to 24%. AIDA says the next challenge is creating enough demand for expanded capacity through higher blending and flex-fuel vehicles.
Commodities India's ethanol supplies cross 800-crore-litre mark, grain-based share rises to 76% in July: AIDA
India's cumulative ethanol supplies crossed the 800-crore-litre mark during Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26, with grain-based feedstocks accounting for around 76% of monthly supplies in July, according to AIDA. Maize and surplus FCI grains each contributed 30 crore litres, while sugarcane-based supplies slipped to 22 crore litres. AIDA's Bharati Balaji called for creating sufficient demand through higher blends, Flex-Fuel Vehicles and wider applications.
Commodities Ethanol or EVs? India needs both for cleaner mobility, says IFGE
IFGE has called for a diversified approach to India's clean mobility transition, saying ethanol and EVs are complementary rather than competing. The federation cited a 2-6% efficiency loss for E20 versus E10 but noted no widespread engine damage, and highlighted forex savings of over Rs 1.97 lakh crore from the ethanol blending programme.
Manufacturing India's transport, petroleum ministries disagree on E20 mileage loss: 2-6% vs 3-5%
India's road transport ministry and petroleum ministry have given different official estimates of the fuel-efficiency loss when E20 petrol is used in vehicles designed for E10. The transport ministry cited a 2-6% reduction based on an ARAI-SIAM-Indian Oil study, while the petroleum ministry said it is generally 3-5%. Both ministries pointed to driving conditions, habits and maintenance as key variables.
Commodities Lower maize acreage and sugar stock uncertainty shift focus to rice for ethanol in India
With maize acreage in top five producing states falling over 13% and sugar stocks expected very low at season end, India's ethanol blending programme is likely to depend more on rice. The government's target of 20% ethanol blending requires about 1,100 crore litres, and reduced broken-rice share in official stocks could boost feedstock availability. Fresh kharif arrivals are expected to strengthen supply.
Commodities India Uses 3.9M Tonnes FCI Rice, 6.8M Tonnes Maize for Ethanol Till June 2026
India has used 3.9 million tonnes of surplus FCI rice and 6.8 million tonnes of maize for ethanol production till June 2026 in the current Ethanol Supply Year (ESY 2025-26). Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated that the 20% ethanol blending target has not affected food crop availability or food security, and only surplus foodgrains are diverted. The government also reported that PSU oil marketing companies procured 705.43 crore litres of ethanol for ₹49,577.36 crore in the same period.
Commodities India ring-fences 72 lakh tonnes of FCI rice for ethanol production in 2026-27
India's food ministry has allocated 72 lakh tonnes of rice from FCI stocks for ethanol production in the 2026-27 supply year at ₹2,390/quintal, up from 52 lt in 2025-26. An additional 55 lt of broken rice will be sold via e-auction. The move supports higher blending targets and reduces fossil fuel imports.
Commodities Ethanol Producers' Body BIEPA Supports E20 Fuel, Calls Misinformation Unfounded
The Bharat Independent Ethanol Producers Association (BIEPA) has publicly supported India's mandatory E20 fuel, dismissing claims of engine damage and poor mileage as scientifically unsupported. The body urged consumers to rely on verified information from government and industry sources.
Commodities E20 Controversy: Why India's Ethanol Blending Roadmap Is Back in Spotlight
India's nationwide rollout of mandatory 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) in April 2025 has triggered a political row, with opponents citing a 2021 NITI Aayog report that recommended a phased transition. The controversy intensified after Attorney General R Venkataramani called E20 an 'experiment' during a Supreme Court hearing, raising concerns over vehicle compatibility and fuel efficiency.
Commodities ISMA defends E20 fuel, cites scientific evidence; remains silent on mileage drop claims
The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has dismissed public concern over E20 ethanol blended petrol, stating that the conversation should be based on scientific evidence and official clarifications. While automakers claim mileage drop is marginal (3-3.5%), social media users report a 20-30% reduction. The government and industry bodies defend the fuel, citing emissions cuts and foreign exchange savings of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
Commodities Distilleries Supply 68% of Contracted 1,048 Crore Litres Ethanol in Eight Months
As of June 2026, Indian distilleries have supplied 717 crore litres of ethanol, fulfilling 68% of the 1,048 crore litres contracted by oil marketing companies for the Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26. Maize-based ethanol dominates at 36%, followed by FCI rice and sugarcane juice. Grain-based distilleries account for 67% of supplies, while sugar-based units have achieved 82% fulfilment of their contracts.
Logistics Biofuel Boost: How the SEED Act Could Cut Trucking Costs by $1 Billion
The SEED Act, a federal blenders tax credit, could reduce fuel volatility and lower trucking costs by $1 billion, according to Jesús Guerra of Pilot Company. Reinstating the policy would boost domestic biofuel production and cut costs for consumers and the trucking industry.
Commodities India launches 2% isobutanol-diesel trials, paving way for first diesel biofuel programme
India has initiated trials of a 2% isobutanol-diesel blend in commercial vehicles, marking the first step toward a diesel biofuel programme. The government-backed initiative involves HPCL, ARAI, Praj Industries, and automakers like Tata Motors. The move follows failed ethanol-diesel blends and leverages isobutanol's compatibility with diesel.
Manufacturing India’s E100 ethanol push could trigger ₹50,000 crore auto industry investment
India's push for E100 ethanol could trigger ₹37,000-50,000 crore in auto industry investment, including ₹22,000-30,000 crore in R&D and ₹15,000-20,000 crore in localisation and manufacturing upgrades. However, flex-fuel vehicles are expected to account for only a low single-digit share of the market by 2030, and the investment must compete with ongoing electrification spending.
Commodities Paddy Straw-Based Compressed Biogas Deserves Special Funding to Combat Stubble Burning Crisis
Every winter, stubble burning in northern India worsens air quality in Delhi-NCR. Converting paddy straw into compressed biogas (CBG) addresses both environmental and agricultural challenges, but high collection, pre-processing, and capital costs hinder viability. The article argues for enhanced capital subsidies, viability gap funding, and access to carbon markets to scale up CBG production.
Commodities India Waives Excise Duty on Ethanol-Blended Petrol to Boost Cleaner Fuel Use
India has waived excise duty on ethanol-blended petrol (E22, E25, E27, E30) to promote cleaner fuel and reduce crude oil imports. The government plans to establish 500 ethanol fuel stations by end-2026, with initial rollout in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. The move comes as global crude prices surged above $100 per barrel due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, pushing domestic fuel prices up by over Rs 7.5 per litre.
Commodities India's Ethanol Push: E85 Fuel Price Drops by Rs 20/Litre
India is set to reduce the price of E85 fuel by Rs 20 per litre as part of its ethanol adoption strategy. This move aims to compensate for the lower energy content of ethanol and reduce fossil fuel imports.
Commodities India's Ethanol Expansion Reshapes Agriculture and Energy Markets
India's ethanol blending initiative has significantly increased farmland dedicated to fuel production, reshaping agricultural practices and impacting energy markets. The shift from sugarcane to grain-based ethanol, particularly maize and rice, has altered crop choices and raised concerns over food availability.