Clean green fuel refers to energy sources that have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels. In India, this category includes various alternatives such as ethanol-blended petrol, compressed biogas (CBG), green hydrogen, and electricity generated from renewable sources.
India's promotion of ethanol-blended petrol aims to achieve multiple objectives. The primary goals are to reduce dependence on oil imports, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and support farmers growing sugarcane and grains. Ethanol, which is derived from sugarcane, broken rice, and maize, serves as a renewable and domestically sourced fuel alternative.
The Government of India has set an ambitious target to achieve 20% ethanol blending (E20) in petrol by 2025, moving it up from the original deadline of 2030. As of early 2024, the country has reached an average blending level of 12%.
Several key initiatives are driving this transition, including:
Automotive companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hyundai, and Mahindra are adapting by designing engines that are compatible with higher ethanol blends and flex-fuel technology. Gradually, vehicles that can run on E20 fuel are being introduced into the market.
Despite the benefits, challenges remain, including:
Second-generation (2G) ethanol utilizes agricultural residues, such as paddy straw, thereby avoiding competition with food crops. Numerous 2G ethanol plants are being established to enhance this sustainable energy pathway.
India's initiative towards clean fuels aligns with its commitments under the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce emission intensity and promote clean energy alternatives as part of Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG-13) on Climate Action.
Q1. What are clean green fuels?
Answer: Clean green fuels are energy sources with lower environmental impacts than fossil fuels, including options like ethanol-blended petrol, green hydrogen, and biogas.
Q2. How does India benefit from ethanol-blended petrol?
Answer: Ethanol-blended petrol helps India reduce oil imports, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support local agriculture by utilizing crops like sugarcane and maize.
Q3. What is the target for ethanol blending in petrol?
Answer: India aims to reach a 20% ethanol blending target (E20) in petrol by 2025, advancing this goal from the previous 2030 deadline.
Q4. What policies support the use of biofuels in India?
Answer: Key policies include the National Policy on Biofuels, the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, and the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, promoting biofuel production and use.
Q5. What challenges does India face in implementing clean fuels?
Answer: Challenges include limited ethanol production capacity, distribution infrastructure gaps, engine compatibility in older vehicles, and food versus fuel concerns.
Question 1: What is the primary benefit of ethanol-blended petrol for India?
A) Decreasing vehicle emissions
B) Reducing oil imports
C) Supporting foreign trade
D) Enhancing public transport
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What is the ethanol blending target set by the Indian government for 2025?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 25%
Correct Answer: B
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