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Centre approves E100 fuel for vehicles: what the rule change means
Why in News?
E100 means pure ethanol in the tank: the biofuel policy and flex-fuel terms GS3 expects
Centre approves E100 (100% ethanol) fuel for vehicles.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2009
What you need to know
2 min read
The Centre has cleared the use of E100, a fuel with 100% ethanol, for vehicles, according to reports on the new rule change.
India's ethanol programme blends ethanol produced from sugarcane juice, molasses and grains into petrol to cut crude imports and emissions.
The move extends the programme beyond blended petrol towards flex-fuel engines.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- E100 is a fuel with 100% ethanol; it is meant for flex-fuel engines, unlike ordinary blended petrol.
- India's ethanol programme blends ethanol from sugarcane juice, molasses and grains into petrol.
- Aims of ethanol blending: cut crude oil imports and reduce emissions.
- National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 allows surplus food grains for ethanol with National Biofuel Coordination Committee approval.
- Flex-fuel engines can run on petrol, ethanol or a blend of the two.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- E100 refers to a fuel made up of 100% ethanol, as against blended petrol such as E20.
- Ethanol blended with petrol in India can be produced from sugarcane juice, molasses and grains.
- The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 permits the use of surplus food grains for ethanol production, subject to approval of the National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
- Flex-fuel engines are designed to run on more than one fuel, such as petrol and ethanol blends.
Mains
GS3 (Economy - Energy; Biofuels). Issue: India's heavy dependence on imported crude oil and the emissions from transport. Policy: the ethanol blending programme and the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, now extended from blended petrol towards E100 and flex-fuel engines. Implication: lower import bill and cleaner fuel, but pressure on sugarcane and grain use, water and food security; way forward is diversifying feedstock (second-generation ethanol, surplus and waste biomass), building flex-fuel vehicle and fuelling infrastructure, and balancing farmer income with food security.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
In the context of alternative sources of energy, ethanol as a viable bio-fuel can be obtained from
- Potato
- Rice
- Sugarcane
- Wheat
Show answer
Answer: C
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Consider the following statements about ethanol use as a fuel in India:
- Ethanol blended with petrol can be produced from sugarcane juice and molasses.
- The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 permits the use of surplus food grains for ethanol production, subject to approval of the National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: C — The correct answer is Both 1 and 2. Sugarcane juice and molasses are established feedstocks, and the 2018 policy allows surplus food grains to be diverted to ethanol with National Biofuel Coordination Committee approval.
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