India to Mandate At Least 20% Ethanol Blend in Petrol, says Rashmi Urdhwareshe

New Delhi: With India moving towards BS-VI emission norms that is scheduled to be implemented on 1st April next year across the country, the country is looking forwards at mandating at least 20 per cent ethanol as a blend in petrol, said Rashmi Urdhwareshe, Director at The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in an interview to the GlobalAutoIndustry, global partner of ETAuto.

She also informed that as the BS-VI emission norms will allow more alternative fuel options, biodiesel and methanol are other possible options the government is considering.

“A possible solution is biodiesel and we have areas where there is a large biodiesel production, so that is also included and encouraged by regulations.,” said Rashmi Urdhwareshe.

She also added, “In our country, we look at methanol production through the gasification of coal. There are a few states in the eastern part of the country where there is surplus methanol. And therefore, about 20 per cent blending or even going up to 100 per cent of methanol is a possibility.”

Speaking about India’s readiness for EV transformation, Urdhwareshe said, “We are getting to go the way that the government wants us to work. There is a measure policy thrust whereby public transportation will be the first one to go electric and thereby, I mean buses, taxis, as well as India specific three-wheeler taxis, are the major focus areas for us.”

However, she also said that unless the policy towards EV is taken step by step, it can not be said that India is ready for the absorption of electrification.

Speaking about the mega changes to be seen in the Indian automotive sector, the ARAI director said that multi-modal transportation and shared mobility are the next megatrends that India will see. “Another emerging mega-trend we can foresee is the very efficient and safer two-wheelers, which is India specific trend appearing now,” added Rashmi Urdhwareshe.

Source: ET

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