The central government has taken an important step towards energy security amid rising crude oil prices in the global market and continued geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Paving the way for blending up to 30 percent ethanol with petrol (E-30), the Bureau of Indian Standards recently notified new technical standards for E-22, E-25, E-27 and E-30 fuels. This initiative aims to increase the use of alternative energy and reduce dependence on oil imports.
According to government sources, the notification is only the initial technical preparation for the future fuel system, so that this high level of blended fuel can be introduced in the market if required at a later date. Although the sale of E-30 petrol is not currently mandatory, the move shows that the government plans to go one step further from the E-20 (20 percent ethanol blend) target.
The recent escalation of military tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran poses a serious threat to the global crude oil supply system. The threat of a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil, has forced import-dependent countries like India to focus more on alternative energy sources. In such a sensitive situation, ethanol blending has been considered as a strong and reliable option to ensure energy security of the country.
The government has already shifted the target of 20 per cent ethanol blend in petrol to 2025-26 instead of 2025-26. On the other hand, there are already concerns that using ethanol fuel in older vehicles could reduce vehicle mileage and increase engine maintenance costs. However, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier clarified that there were no reports of engine failures or serious technical faults due to the use of E-20 fuel.
For long, the country’s biofuel producers and industries have been demanding the government’s approval of E-22 and higher blends in view of reducing crude oil imports and increasing ethanol production in the country. It remains to be seen how this latest notification will usher in a significant change in the country’s energy sector and have far-reaching implications in terms of reducing energy import dependency and sustainable energy security in the coming days.
