India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is not only gung-ho about the prospect of ethanol-blended petrol ; it is moving ahead at full throttle to support high blending rate to as much as entirely replacing oil in a vehicle. With the recent amendment of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the government paved the way for motor vehicles to run on pure ethanol, branded as E100. Although it may take time to see E100-fuelled vehicles on Indian roads and the associated impact, we have a prequel to this drastic change in front of us. As we say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

India has already made the transition to E20 petrol, containing 20 per cent ethanol, marking a significant milestone in its biofuel programme. The policy is intended to reduce crude oil imports, save forex, and strengthen energy security.…