Indian auto firms to soon produce 100% ethanol run cars and two wheelers: Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways noted that several Indian companies are establishing plants to produce 100% ethanol-run cars and two-wheelers in the country, ANI reported.  

The minister who came to Parliament in a similar vehicle made by Toyota said while addressing the media, "This is the world's first vehicle with a flex engine and complies with the Euro 6 emission norms. It gives us net zero emissions. Runs on ethanol produced from sugarcane juice, corn, and molasses." 

Toyota has announced a Rs 20,000 crore investment to establish a plant for producing flex cars in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, ANI noted. 

Gadkari says Suzuki and Tata are working on making 100% ethanol or flex engine cars, ANI noted. Bajaj, Hero and TVS are making flex engine scooters and bikes. 

"Other manufacturers are also working on bringing a flex engine. Just like petrol pumps, farmers will now have ethanol pumps. We have an import of Rs 16 lakh crores," Gadkari said, adding that such vehicles will curtail pollution, save costs and benefit farmers. This vehicle works on 100% ethanol," Gadkari noted. 

In August last year, the Minster had revealed a prototype of a 100% ethanol run BS VI compliant certified flex fuel car developed by Toyota Kirloskar. The prototype cars are ready for mass production by Toyota, which has announced the establishment of a plant in Aurangabad. 

Gadkari noted that the ethanol industry is a boon for farmers, with the ethanol demand set to increase. "Flex cars will be a boon for farmers. Ethanol is swadeshi and farmers will reap all its benefits," he noted.