Center considering blending of ethanol with diesel

The central government is considering a new initiative to blend 5 percent ethanol with diesel (ED-5) to give impetus to its green fuel endeavours. This plan aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce crude oil imports and promote the use of environmentally friendly fuels.

India is progressing toward its goal of achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, with its current ethanol blending levels at 15.9 percent as of June. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) recently held discussions with various ministries to assess the feasibility of this proposal, a report pointed out.

 If implemented, this plan would require a significant increase in ethanol production, with the dual benefit of reducing environmental impact and cutting down on crude oil imports, thereby saving foreign exchange.