Harjeet Singh, Chairman, SIAM Two-wheeler Technical Committee & Executive Advisor, Hero MotoCorp talking about the Indian perspective on ethanol at Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) hosted the maiden Master Class on the topic of ‘United States’ experience on usage of Higher Blends of Ethanol in Transportation said that India imported 185 million tonnes of petroleum at a whopping cost of $551 billion (Rs 4,401,388 crore) in 2021 which constituted about 85% of oil imports.
“A 20% blending of ethanol has the potential to save foreign exchange of Rs 30,000 crore or $4 billion per year. It will not only reduce greenhouse emissions but will also improve farmers’ income. Ethanol will also enhance the life of ICE engines. Vehicle manufacturers are moving forward in obtaining the design of E20-compatible vehicles by 2023 and fully compatible E20 vehicles by 2025. Support and incentives from the government will be necessary to make India’s journey along the ethanol roadmap successful.”, Harjeet Said.
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) hosted the maiden Master Class on the topic of ‘United States’ experience on usage of Higher Blends of Ethanol in Transportation’. The Master class was conducted by Brian H. West, Academic Researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and was supported by the US Grain Council.
Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, who was present at the masterclass informed that ethanol finds a prominent place in the country’s transportation decarbonisation initiative.
“NITI Aayog and a group of secretaries from different ministries, under NITI Aayog, mandated SIAM for promoting ethanol, starting from debunking myths around ethanol.”
Giving the opening remarks, Mrs. Alejandra Danielson Castillo, RegionalDirector – South Asia, US Grains Council said, “We foresee a natural collaboration between the USA and India. Our goal is to provide the right technical expertise and tools, and partner with organizations to support India in moving forward with its ethanol plans. India is aggressively moving along with their ethanol roadmap and towards their journey towards the E-20 program.”
Mr. Brian H. West, Academic Researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) gave a thematic presentation on “US experience on usage of Higher Blends of Ethanol in Transportation”. He presented his views on the Ethanol blending program, vehicle real-life testing, materials testing, benefits of ethanol blending, and challenges that the US faced in the journey of ethanol. He stated, “Consumer education is the key in clearing misconceptions around ethanol-blended fuels and this, will eventually help India in moving forward on the E20 roadmap.”
