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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Govt aims to accelerate pace of highway construction to 100 km/day: Gadkari
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the government's aim is to accelerate the pace of highway construction to 100 km a day from 38 km/day at present. Speaking at the Business Today India@100 event, Gadkari said so far this year, the road ministry has awarded highways projects worth ₹2.5 lakh crore, and by March next year, it will award highways projects worth ₹10 lakh crore. "Currently, the pace of National Highways construction in India is 38 km/day. We aim to accelerate the pace of highway construction to 100 km a day. This is our target, whether it will happen next year, I can not say," he said. The ministry constructed 10,660 km of national highways in 2024-25, 12,349 km in 2023-24 and 10,331 km in 2022-23. Responding to the growing concern over social media about E20, rolled out by the government, is damaging the vehicle and there is no reduction in fuel cost, Gadkari rejected the claim, saying that the petroleum sector is lobbying against this move. "I challenge, if anyone has faced difficulty in his vehicle on account of mixing of ethanol in petrol," Gadkari, who is known for his frank views, said. The minister further said that Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) conducts trials and comes up with reports before the government takes a call on ethanol blending. Currently, Indian vehicles can run on E20 petrol with minor changes to the engine to prevent corrosion and other issues. In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol. The Indian government will introduce guidelines for 27 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by the end of August. Ethanol, which can be produced from sugarcane, broken rice and other agricultural products, is expected to help reduce India's dependence on foreign oil. India is currently the world's third-largest oil consumer and imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making it vulnerable to geopolitical vagaries that can impact crude prices. Gadkari reiterated that his aim is to make India's automobile industry number one in the world. The size of the Indian automobile industry is now ₹22 lakh crore. Presently, the size of the US automobile industry is ₹78 lakh crore, followed by China (₹47 lakh crore) and India (₹22 lakh crore). According to the minister, the automobile industry has created 4.5 crore jobs till now -- the highest in the country. Gadkari also said the days are not far away when prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will be less than those of petrol vehicles in the country within six months. The minister also said India's logistics cost will come down to 9 per cent by December this year. In China, the logistics cost is 8 per cent, and in the US and European countries, it is 12 per cent, the minister said. Gadkari also emphasised the need to increase the productivity of the agriculture sector. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt aims to accelerate pace of highway construction to 100 km/day: Gadkari
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the government's aim is to accelerate the pace of highway construction to 100 km a day from 38 km/day at present. Speaking at the Business Today India@100 event, Gadkari said so far this year, the road ministry has awarded highways projects worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore, and by March next year, it will award highways projects worth Rs 10 lakh crore. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program "Currently, the pace of National Highways construction in India is 38 km/day. We aim to accelerate the pace of highway construction to 100 km a day. This is our target, whether it will happen next year, I can not say," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The ministry constructed 10,660 km of national highways in 2024-25, 12,349 km in 2023-24 and 10,331 km in 2022-23. Responding to the growing concern over social media about E20, rolled out by the government, is damaging the vehicle and there is no reduction in fuel cost, Gadkari rejected the claim, saying that the petroleum sector is lobbying against this move. Live Events "I challenge, if anyone has faced difficulty in his vehicle on account of mixing of ethanol in petrol," Gadkari, who is known for his frank views, said. The minister further said that Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) conducts trials and comes up with reports before the government takes a call on ethanol blending. Currently, Indian vehicles can run on E20 petrol with minor changes to the engine to prevent corrosion and other issues. In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol. The Indian government will introduce guidelines for 27 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by the end of August. Ethanol, which can be produced from sugarcane, broken rice and other agricultural products, is expected to help reduce India's dependence on foreign oil. India is currently the world's third-largest oil consumer and imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making it vulnerable to geopolitical vagaries that can impact crude prices. Gadkari reiterated that his aim is to make India's automobile industry number one in the world. The size of the Indian automobile industry is now Rs 22 lakh crore. Presently, the size of the US automobile industry is Rs 78 lakh crore, followed by China (Rs 47 lakh crore) and India (Rs 22 lakh crore). According to the minister, the automobile industry has created 4.5 crore jobs till now -- the highest in the country. Gadkari also said the days are not far away when prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will be less than those of petrol vehicles in the country within six months. The minister also said India's logistics cost will come down to 9 per cent by December this year. In China, the logistics cost is 8 per cent, and in the US and European countries, it is 12 per cent, the minister said. Gadkari also emphasised the need to increase the productivity of the agriculture sector.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Nitin Gadkari Challenges Critics To Prove E20 Ethanol Petrol Causes Vehicle Problems
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has issued a direct challenge to critics of ethanol-blended petrol, demanding they provide concrete evidence of any vehicle experiencing problems from the government's E20 fuel program. Speaking at the Business Today India@100 Summit on Friday, Gadkari emphatically dismissed concerns surrounding the use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol, asserting that no complaints have been documented despite widespread implementation across the country. He accused detractors of deliberately spreading false information about the government's ethanol-blending initiative. The minister questioned whether any automobile in India had encountered issues due to ethanol-blended fuel, emphasizing that both the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and the Automotive Research Association of India have publicly endorsed the program. Gadkari maintained that extensive testing and research support the safety and effectiveness of ethanol-blended petrol for vehicle operations. Beyond addressing safety concerns, Gadkari highlighted significant economic and environmental advantages of the ethanol-blending program. The initiative substantially reduces India's crude oil import expenditure while simultaneously decreasing vehicular emissions, supporting both national energy security objectives and climate change mitigation goals. The minister specifically noted how ethanol production has created valuable new income streams for agricultural communities. He cited corn prices as an example, explaining that the commodity previously sold for Rs 1,200 per quintal now commands Rs 2,600 per quintal when used for ethanol production, directly benefiting rural farming households through enhanced agricultural revenues. Gadkari characterized the ethanol initiative as representing agricultural diversification toward energy and power sectors, creating sustainable economic opportunities for farmers while reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. This transformation aligns with broader government objectives of promoting renewable energy sources and supporting rural economic development. The minister suggested that some criticism may stem from vested interests opposed to the program's success, though he indicated the government remains confident in scientific validation. He emphasized that all ethanol-blending standards undergo rigorous testing by the Automotive Research Association of India, with comprehensive reports informing ministry policy decisions. His remarks followed detailed clarification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas addressing public concerns about E20 fuel's impact on vehicle performance. The ministry characterized widespread fears as scientifically unfounded, citing extensive long-term testing data demonstrating minimal performance differences between ethanol-blended and conventional petrol. Government testing involved running both carbureted and fuel-injected vehicles for 100,000 kilometers using E20 fuel, with performance evaluations conducted every 10,000 kilometers. These comprehensive assessments found no statistically significant variations in power output, torque generation, or fuel efficiency compared to traditional petrol usage. Additional evaluations by the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation's research division confirmed that even older legacy vehicles did not experience abnormal wear patterns or component degradation. The E20 fuel successfully passed both cold-start and hot-start engine tests without operational difficulties. While acknowledging that ethanol's lower energy density can slightly reduce mileage, officials clarified that the decline remains minimal at approximately 1-2% for newer vehicles calibrated for E20 usage, and 3-6% for older models. This reduction can be further mitigated through proper engine tuning and ethanol-compatible materials now standard in automotive manufacturing. The government emphasized environmental benefits, noting that sugarcane-based ethanol produces 65% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional petrol, while maize-based ethanol reduces emissions by 50%. The program has saved over Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15 while providing more than Rs 1.20 lakh crore in payments to farmers through ethanol procurement initiatives.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Older vehicles not damaged by E20 fuel blend in tests, says Nitin Gadkari
Tests show that older vehicles are not damaged in any way by using a new petrol blend with a higher 20% of ethanol, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday (August 6, 2025), blaming the social media outrage against the new E20 blend on a 'political conspiracy', possibly fuelled by petrol lobbies. Speaking at The Hindu Mind event, a conversation series in the national capital, Mr. Gadkari emphasised that making the switch to bio fuels helps put the country on the path to self reliance by cutting oil imports, and also reduces pollution and saves farmers lives by ensuring they receive higher value for their crops. While new E20-tuned vehicles have started rolling out from April 2025, existing owners are concerned about the impact on their older vehicles and a surge in maintenance costs. 'Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has tested old vehicles on a total distance of one lakh kilometres and not found any problems,' the Minister said. Reduced import costs, pollution Asked whether the cheaper ethanol variant would result in lower petrol costs for the end user, given that there is also a 5% to 6% drop in mileage, Mr. Gadkari said that determining petrol prices was not under his domain. While he acknowledged an impact on vehicle mileage, he enumerated several benefits that accrue to the country due to the transition to E20, a fuel blend that comprises 20% ethanol produced from plant products such as sugarcane, rice, and maize, and 80% gasoline. 'From an economic point of view, the country spends ₹22 lakh crore on fossil fuel imports and the automotive industry is growing and imports are too. There are also concerns over rising levels of pollution. Thirdly, our push for alternative fuels and bio fuels places the country on the path to Atmanirbharta [self-reliance].' He reminded the audience that the transition to blended ethanol started in 2001, when Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, when the then-Petroleum Minister sent a delegation to Brazil, of which Mr. Gadkari was a part. 'No vested interest' Allegations have also been made on social media about the Minister's 'vested interest' in promoting ethanol blending because of his family's ownership of sugarcane companies such as the Purti Group. 'This is a deliberate misinformation campaign. We have identified an organisation that is dialing phones and talking to people [to write posts on X]. It is possible that this is a political conspiracy. It is common in politics,' Mr. Gadkari said emphatically. 'Vajpayee ji started ethanol blending in 2001. Did he do it at my behest?' he asked. He said that his family-owned companies are running at an annual loss of ₹30 crore, claiming that despite advice to shut them down, he continues to remain invested because of his own passion. These firms only generate a mere 1.3 lakh litres of ethanol, which is too small a quantity, he said. 'If I promote electric or hydrogen or flex engine car, does it mean I manufacture those? I promote various alternative and bio fuels so that import and pollution goes down, farmers don't commit suicide, and we fulfil the dream of the Prime Minister of atmanirbharta [self reliance],' Mr. Gadkari said. To a question from the audience on whether vehicle owners could choose whether they wanted E20 instead of E5 — as in the case of Brazil, which allows consumers a choice between different gasoline blends and pure ethanol — the Minister said that India was still at a nascent stage of its transition to bio fuels unlike Brazil, which has over 80 years of experience. It will take another seven to eight years for stability and clarity, he said.
News18
6 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
What Percentage Of Your Petrol Is Ethanol And What It Means For Your Car
Last Updated: Automakers in India have now started designing engines that are E20-compatible, especially models manufactured from 2023 onwards If you're filling your tank with what's labelled as normal petrol, chances are you're now getting a fuel blend that's very different from what was sold a few years ago. While most motorists assume regular petrol is pure gasoline, it's actually a mixture, now increasingly dominated by ethanol. What's in your tank now? Until recently, normal petrol (technically called E0 or 91 RON petrol) contained 10% ethanol. But in a major policy shift, most pumps now dispense E20 (petrol blended with 20% ethanol) as the default normal fuel option. This transition has already begun at many outlets and is gradually expanding nationwide. So yes, what you're getting as 'normal petrol" is now typically 20% ethanol-blended petrol. Can your engine handle 20% ethanol? That depends on how new your vehicle is. Automakers in India have started designing engines that are E20-compatible, especially models manufactured from 2023 onwards. These vehicles can run on E20 without issue. But if your vehicle was made before that, particularly before 2015, it might not handle the new blend optimally. Engine parts not designed for higher ethanol content may suffer minor degradation or performance issues over time. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), 'E20 fuel passed all major engine tests and showed no significant adverse effects." These included mechanical performance checks and 1 lakh-kilometre endurance tests on both carburetted and fuel-injected engines. Hot and cold startability tests also showed E20 to be safe, though the government does concede that mileage may dip by 1-2% in E10-designed engines calibrated for E20. In older vehicles, that drop could range between 3-6%. However, the ministry maintains that this can be resolved through better engine tuning and use of ethanol-compatible parts. Why is this shift happening? The ethanol blending program is part of India's broader push to: The government had initially set 2025-26 as the target for 20% ethanol blending, but implementation has been fast-tracked. A roadmap is also in place to push the blend further to 27% in coming years. Is there a way to avoid ethanol-blended petrol? Yes, though it's not cheap. If you want lower or no ethanol in your fuel, look for premium variants like Speed 97 or XP100. These fuels usually have minimal ethanol content (as low as 5-10%) and sometimes none at all. However, XP100, marketed as 'India's purest premium petrol" can cost between Rs 150 and Rs 170 per litre and is available only at select stations in big cities. What is ethanol and where does it come from? Ethanol is an alcohol-based biofuel derived mainly from sugarcane, maize, or grains. It is not drinkable, as denaturants are added to fuel-grade ethanol. India has over 800 ethanol-producing plants, and the fuel-grade version (99.5% pure) is delivered to oil companies like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum. Ethanol is blended into petrol at refineries or terminals, not at the petrol pump. How does India compare globally? India is not alone in this approach. Ethanol blending is a global trend: Brazil mixes 27% ethanol in standard petrol and has vehicles that run entirely on ethanol. The US started ethanol blending in the 1990s and now uses E10 as standard. In some cases, E15 and E85 are also used, especially in Flex-Fuel vehicles. Europe varies: France uses E10, Germany E5, and Sweden blends up to 85% ethanol. China made E10 mandatory in 2017. Thailand offers E10, E20, and E85 options to consumers. These moves aim to reduce carbon footprints, support local agriculture, and stabilise fuel pricing. top videos View all What should vehicle owners do now? Check your vehicle manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm if your vehicle is E20-compatible. If you're driving a model launched in or after 2023, you're likely in the clear. If not, watch out for slight mileage drops and performance variation. For older vehicles, especially pre-2015 ones, avoid E20 if you're concerned about wear and tear, premium fuels may be the better choice. tags : Ethanol-Petrol blend Fuel prices petrol view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 19:07 IST News auto What Percentage Of Your Petrol Is Ethanol And What It Means For Your Car | Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
