Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, asked vehicle manufacturers on Wednesday to discourage the production and sale of diesel engines and instead promote alternative technologies.
“The industry must promote alternative fuel technologies and fund R&D (research and development) for alternative fuels,” Gadkari said in a virtual address to industry body SIAM’s annual convention. The minister stated that he expects the industry to quickly roll out E20-compatible vehicles. E20 is a gasoline-ethanol blend that contains 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline.
“This will be extremely beneficial in reducing our import bill and providing a direct benefit to our farmers while also being environmentally friendly.” Gadkari also stated that flex engine-based vehicles are already in use in the United States, Brazil, and Canada, with a few of these brands operating successfully in India. “The technology is readily available, and it is only a matter of time before we take that leap that will forever transform India’s transportation landscape,” Gadkari said. According to the minister, officials from the petroleum ministry have informed him that ethanol pumps will be installed in every district of the country soon.
Gadkari stated that the government has released the Expert Committee on Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025 report, which discusses the gradual implementation of 20% ethanol blending in gasoline (E20) by 2025. The minister also stressed that the industry has a social responsibility to ensure that optional features such as retro-reflective tapes, handrails, an automatic helmet sensing-cum-reminder system, and a stand detection system are installed on all segments of vehicles for vehicular and rider safety. His ministry is also looking into the possibility of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs).
The future’s fuel will be green hydrogen. For its production, transportation, and storage, appropriate technologies must be developed. In India’s energy ecosystem, low-cost electrolyzers will be a game-changer. The focus, according to Nitin Gadkari, has been on bringing Indian vehicles up to international standards in terms of crash safety, body design, and corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) Norms. For passenger safety and comfort, there is also a need to improve the bus body quality.
High-tech and air-conditioned cabins in trucks and long-distance buses will make driving easier and reduce driver fatigue, which is a major cause of accidents in heavy-duty vehicles that travel long distances. “Our exports have risen to the international market,” Gadkari said, noting that global trust in Indian vehicles has grown. He also stated that low-cost indigenous battery technologies for electric vehicles are required.
“Charging infrastructure development is critical for EV adoption,” he said, adding that the government strongly supports renewable energy-based charging mechanisms for such vehicles. To reduce reliance on petrol and diesel, Gadkari said the government is promoting the adoption of cleaner and greener alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio-CNG, LNG, electric and green-hydrogen fuel cell technology.
