Industry Body Calls for Accelerated Ethanol Blending and Flex-Fuel Vehicle Rollout

The Grain Ethanol Manufacturer's Association (GEMA) has called on the government to accelerate the implementation of higher ethanol blending levels and expedite the nationwide adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) as India seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Following the achievement of the 20% ethanol blending target set for 2025 under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, GEMA is pushing for India to follow Brazil's model, which has successfully implemented progressive ethanol blending levels reaching up to 55% petrol replacement through flex-fuel technology.

Dr. CK Jain, President of GEMA, emphasized the need for immediate action within existing vehicle constraints. "There is an immediate need to enhance the blending up to the tolerance level of the existing vehicles to give some relief to the Grain Ethanol Industry," he stated, adding that the roadmap for ethanol blending beyond 20% must be supported by clear and ambitious policy frameworks.

The association acknowledged that while an immediate jump to 25-30% blending may not be feasible, incremental increases of 1-2% above the current 20% level are possible with existing vehicle tolerances.

GEMA highlighted that the ethanol industry has already made substantial investments to meet enhanced requirements and is prepared to collaborate on upgrading distribution infrastructure. However, Mr. Abhinav Singal, Treasurer of GEMA, stressed that "a cohesive approach involving relevant ministries and all stakeholders is essential to build a sustainable and economically viable biofuel ecosystem."

The association pointed to multiple benefits of increased ethanol blending, including significant reductions in carbon emissions, lower oil import bills, enhanced energy security, and increased demand for agricultural feedstocks such as sugarcane, maize, and surplus rice. This could boost rural incomes and create employment opportunities across agricultural and industrial sectors.

GEMA also emphasized the importance of developing appropriate vehicle standards, upgrading fueling infrastructure, and launching consumer awareness campaigns to support the transition to flex-fuel technology. The association called for faster collaboration between policymakers, the Department of Science and Technology, and automobile manufacturers to facilitate this shift.

The initiative aligns with India's ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and its climate commitments for 2030. By reducing emissions from conventional petrol vehicles, the country aims to improve air quality while creating green jobs across rural and industrial sectors.

GEMA, which represents India's grain-based ethanol producers, continues to advocate for urgent policy clarity, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships to advance the country's biofuel strategy.