Government working to allow ethanol blending beyond E20 via flexi-fuel vehicles: Tarun Kapoor
The Indian government is planning to increase ethanol blending beyond the current E20 limit by promoting the adoption of flexi-fuel vehicles. Officials cite the need for energy security amid rising global crude oil prices and surplus domestic ethanol production.
Why it matters
This shift aims to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil and provides a strategic outlet for the country's surplus sugar and bio-energy production.
“The government is working to permit ethanol blending beyond the current E20 level, enabled by flexi-fuel vehicles,” advisor to the Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor said on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).
Addressing virtually the fourth edition of The India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference 2026, Mr. Kapoor said the E20 programme has been "very successful" so far and several automobile companies have announced plans to roll out flexi-fuel vehicles soon.
"Now our focus is on going into flexi-fuel vehicles and allowing blending at a percentage which will be higher than E20," he said, adding that availability of pure ethanol at fuel outlets will need to be expanded alongside the rollout of such vehicles.
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