Automakers Will Be Directed To Introduce Flex-Fuel Engines: Nitin Gadkari

With the steep rise in pollution levels in India and around the globe, authorities are now trying to find ways to curb this issue. Our Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, while attending the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow addressed these concerns.

While speaking at the event Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that he will be issuing an order to the automakers in India. In this order, he will be directing the carmakers to introduce flex-fuel engines in vehicles. He added that he will be signing the order in the next two-three days.

Also read: India”s first Maruti Baleno with “air suspension” looks gorgeous (Video)

Each year India imports petroleum products worth over 8 lakh crore, and this figure will grow significantly to a high of 25 lakh crore in the coming five years. This could happen if the dependence on fossil fuels stays at the same rate, said the Union Minister.

“To reduce import of fossil fuels, I am going to sign a file in the next 2-3 days, in which carmakers will be asked to make flex-fuel engines vehicles (that can run on more than one fuel),” the Union Minister commented.

Several countries like France, Germany, and Brazil are already actively using flex-fuel engines.

Flex-fuel or flexible-fuel engines unlike a traditional engine which can only take a single type of fuel can use a blend of gasoline and ethanol or methanol. The standard for a good flex-fuel car is that it can take up to 83 percent of ethanol mixed with petrol.

A traditional internal combustion engine can be tweaked and tuned to adapt to the flex-fuel intake. The main components of the flex-fueled engine vehicles are almost the same. However, some modifications in the engine and fuel lines are required to adapt the newly blended fuel.

The Union Road and Transport Minister wants to reduce the dependability of the nation on fossil fuels like petrol and diesel. He expressed that this desire can be fulfilled by switching to alternative fuels.

Flex-fuel requires Ethanol, which is a by-product of sugarcane and grains. It is extracted from biomass through certain processes. So if the demand for it goes up, then it will not only benefit the environment but also the agricultural industry of the nation as well. On the other hand, it will also bring the import bill down substantially, while creating millions of jobs for the people of India.

Also read: Tata Nexon goes off roading in the Himalayas (Video)