Ethanol And EVs Should Complement, Not Compete, In India’s Clean Mobility Shift: IFGE

New Delhi, Aug 11 (KNN) Ethanol and electric vehicles (EVs) should be viewed as complementary technologies rather than competing solutions in India’s transition towards cleaner mobility, the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) said amid concerns over the impact of E20 petrol on vehicle mileage and compatibility.

IFGE noted that India needs a diversified energy strategy that includes ethanol, EVs, hybrids, compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen, particularly with nearly 300 million internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles still on the country’s roads.

“The debate should not be framed as ethanol versus EVs. India needs both,” said Dilip Patil, Regional Director, IFGE-West, Pune. He added, “E20 provides an immediate pathway to reduce crude oil dependence and strengthen energy security, while EVs, hybrids and other technologies continue to scale,” ANI reported.

E20 Impact on Fuel Efficiency

Addressing concerns over E20 petrol, IFGE said studies by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) indicate a 2-6 per cent reduction in fuel efficiency compared with E10.

The industry body said testing has not indicated widespread engine damage, while newer vehicles increasingly use materials compatible with higher ethanol blends. It noted that concerns are more pronounced during the transition involving older vehicles.

Ethanol Programme Reduces Oil Dependence

India moved to nationwide E20 deployment by April 2025 and is expanding higher ethanol blends, flex-fuel vehicles and second-generation ethanol, according to IFGE.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has reported that the ethanol blending programme has generated foreign exchange savings of more than Rs 1.97 lakh crore and helped substitute nearly 316 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil since Ethanol Supply Year 2014-15.

(KNN Bureau)