Context
The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas recently launched E85 fuel at an Indian Oil outlet in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards promoting ethanol-based fuels and accelerating the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles in India.
About E85 fuel
- E85 is a fuel blend containing 80–85% ethanol and 14–19% petrol, designed for Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) that can operate on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100.
- Priced lower than conventional petrol, it enables consumers to benefit from the increased use of domestically produced ethanol.
- Use of E85 can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by around 61% compared to conventional petrol vehicles.
- Ethanol has a high Research Octane Number (RON) of about 108, which improves knock resistance and supports better engine performance.
- Its higher ethanol content enables cleaner combustion, resulting in near-zero particulate emissions and improved air quality.
- Greater adoption of E85 can reduce dependence on imported crude oil, thereby strengthening India’s energy security.
- It promotes domestic ethanol production and supports the growth of the biofuel ecosystem.
