E20

E20

News: Petrol blended with 20% ethanol (E20) was rolled out at select petrol pumps in 11 states and UTs as part of a programme to increase the use of biofuels to cut emissions as well as dependence on foreign exchange-draining imports.

About:
 At present, 10% ethanol is blended in petrol (10% ethanol, 90% petrol) and the government is looking to double this quantity by 2025.
 Ethanol blending in petrol increased from 5% (in 2014) to 10% and is now progressing towards 20% blending.
 The PM launched the higher 20% ethanolblended petrol (E20) at the India Energy Week (IEW) 2023, two months ahead of the planned rollout.

How will it help?
 India currently is 85% (the world’s thirdlargest oil consumer and importer) dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs.
 The use of ethanol will cut its imports and save forex. India spent USD 120.7 billion on the import of crude oil in the 2021-22 fiscal. In the current fiscal, USD 125 billion have been spent in the first nine months (April to December) alone.
 The use of ethanol, extracted from sugarcane as well as broken rice and other agri produce, will also be a boost for farmers’ incomes.
 It reduces carbon emissions.