ENA Sectors 2025-06-17 17:30:08 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jun 17 (KNN)</strong> Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Monday that bioenergy has the potential to replace up to 50 per cent of Indias fossil fuel consumption within the next five years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Speaking at the Bhoomipujan ceremony of the Indian School for Design of Automobiles, Gadkari emphasised that this transition is crucial to reduce Indias nearly Rs 22 lakh crore annual fossil fuel import bill and significantly cut vehicular emissions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Gadkari highlighted the urgent environmental imperative: with the transport sector contributing approximately 40 per cent of Indias air pollution, shifting to cleaner and renewable alternatives is. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He called for a strengthened focus on research and development within the automobile industry, stressing that innovation in alternative fuels will help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a carbon-neutral India.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">India is actively exploring a diverse suite of alternative fuels, including ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio-LNG, CNG, electric vehicles, and hydrogen.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Notably, ethanol is already blended up to 20 per cent in petrol, marking a significant stride in the countrys energy strategy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Gadkari also praised the domestic auto industrys economic impact, noting it generates an estimated Rs 3 lakh crore in exports and employs approximately 4.5 crore people. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Major manufacturers such as Bajaj, TVS, and Hero export nearly 50 per cent of their output, underlining Indias strong global automotive presence. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Concluding his address, Gadkari expressed optimism about an auto-industry evolution driven by sustainability, innovation, and economic growth. The future of the automobile industry is very good. We are on the cusp of a transformation, he affirmed. </span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 42482 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/bioenergy-could-replace-half-of-indias-fossil-fuel-use-in-five-years-nitin-gadkari 2025-06-17 17:30:08 knnindia.co.in