Transport and Shipping Minister, Nitin Gadkari has revealed that vehicles with flex-fuel engines will start plying in 6-8 months. This combination of petrol and ethanol is cheaper and sustainable-friendly.
In an interview with PTI, the Hon. Transport and Shipping Minister, Mr. Nitin Gadkari revealed that the Government has issued an advisory to car manufacturers in India to introduce flexible-fuel engines in vehicles. Flexible-fuel or flex-fuels are a blend of petrol and ethanol that are considerably cheaper than the cost of petrol. Engines that run on this blend of fuel have low emissions and in some cases better performance as well.
Yesterday, I signed a file on flex-fuel engines. We have given them (carmakers) six months (for the introduction of flex-fuel engines in vehicles that run on more than one fuel)," he said. The minister also acknowledged TVS Motors and Bajaj Automobiles, which have two-wheeler and three-wheeler in production with flex-fuel engines.
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Vehicles With Flex Fuel Engines in India
The Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 is the countrys first ethanol-powered motorcycle, whereas Bajaj has its commercial fleet of three-wheelers with flex-fuel engines. As far as four-wheelers are concerned, Citroen is expected to launch the C3 next year. Codenamed CC21, when launched, this sub-compact SUV will be the first vehicle in India from a foreign manufacturer to have a flex-fuel engine.
MDs from Toyota, Motor Corporation, Suzuki, and Hyundai Motor India has also assured that vehicles that ply in countries like Brazil, America, and Canada, the vehicles in our country will run on 100 per cent bio-ethanol, which is produced by our farmers, instead of 100 per cent petrol," the Minister added.
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The Hon. Minister did confirm that flex-fuel engines will come with a premium price tag. There is a significant cost behind upgrading existing powertrains. But on the flip side, these green powertrains will also push our agricultural economy.
So, why is Flex-Fuel engine Necessary?
Currently, the government incurs import bills on crude oils up to Rs. 7 lakh crores. The indigenous ethanol has the potential of recurring savings up to Rs. 2 lakh crores. This, according to the Union Minister will, turn around the agricultural economy.
One tonne of rice straw can produce 280 litres of ethanol and give rise to new industries. It is not only an import substitute but cost-effective, pollution-free, and clean fuel," the minister further explained.
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