Video: ISMA Sees ₹15,000 Kits Enabling Ethanol Use in BS4 Cars

India’s ethanol transition need not be limited to new flex-fuel vehicles. In this interview with Autocar Professional, ISMA Director General Deepak Ballani outlines how flex-fuel conversion kits could enable existing BS4 and BS6 petrol vehicles to operate on higher ethanol blends such as E85.

Ballani reveals that ISMA imported flex-fuel conversion kits and worked with IIT Delhi to evaluate the technology on an existing passenger vehicle. According to him, the trials were successful, with the vehicle covering thousands of kilometres without any major compatibility concerns. He estimates that locally manufactured kits could eventually cost around ₹15,000, making them a potentially affordable pathway for consumers looking to adopt ethanol fuels.

The conversation also covers India’s ethanol production capacity, export opportunities, and why ISMA believes the country is unlikely to require ethanol imports in the foreseeable future. Watch the full interview for Ballani’s views on flex-fuel technology, ethanol economics, and the future of biofuels in India’s automotive sector.