Oil Min confident of meeting 20% ethanol blending target next fiscal

Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday exuded confidence of meeting the target of supplying petrol mixed with 20 per cent ethanol by 2025, five years earlier than the previously planned roll-out in 2030.

Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol was rolled out at select petrol pumps in 11 States and Union Territories in February as part of a programme to increase use of biofuels to cut emissions as well as dependence on foreign exchange-draining imports.

At present, 10 per cent ethanol is blended in petrol (10 per cent ethanol, 90 per cent petrol) and the Government is looking to double this quantity by 2025. “I am sure we will be able to supply 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol by next (fiscal) year,” he said.