Ministers highlight potential of Flex Fuel Vehicle Technologies in energy and automobile industry
With Industry and Government collaboration, India is set to become a global hub for cleaner technologies and achieving self-reliance in energy soon, says Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.
India has huge Ethanol potential, much beyond E20 mix, and this excess potential with emerging technologies can be utilised by the country by promoting Flex Fuel vehicle (FFVs) and Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-SHEV) / Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle, said Puri.
The E20 fuel is being dispensed at more than 3,300 fuel stations across the country and shall be available pan-India by April 2025. With E20 implementation by April 2025, expected import bill savings may be around Rs.35,000 crore annually, oil import displacement will be 63 million barrels of gasoline (in EY 2024-25).
Speaking on 29 Aug at the unveiling of the Prototype of World’s 1st BS-6 Stage-II, Electrified Flex fuel vehicle, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Puri highlighted the world’s first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex fuel vehicle’ provides opportunity of greater substitution of petrol by Ethanol as it is capable of using any of the higher blends of ethanol mix beyond 20%.
He pointed out that the initiative by Toyota is particularly important as it introduces the world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle prototype, which has both the flex fuel engine as well as an electric powertrain, thereby offering higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel efficiencies.
An Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle has both a Flexi Fuel engine and an electric powertrain. This gives it ability to provide dual benefit of higher ethanol use and much higher fuel efficiency as is in case of a Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV), which can provide 30-50% higher Fuel Efficiency as it can run 40-60% in EV mode with engine shut off.
The Minister contended that various high-level bodies like National Green Tribunal (NGT), Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC) have strongly recommended promotion of all green technologies including SHEVs & Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle etc for hastening the shift away from fossil fuel and faster decarbonization.
He noted technologies including SHEVs & Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle etc. As Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle uses minimal advanced chemistry batteries, it also guards against possible Geo-political risks of battery raw material supplies.
Puri also mentioned the steps taken by the Government to fulfil Prime Minister’s vision to achieve ‘Atmanirbharta’ in energy by 2047 and lead the global fight against climate change.
He apprised that with the huge efforts made by the Government and industry, Ethanol blending in India has increased by over 8 times over eight years from 1.53% in 2014 to around 11.5% (Mar ’23) leading to savings in the import bills and also lowering of carbon emissions.
Noting the efforts made by all the stakeholders, Puri said, “We have advanced the target for E20 blending to 2025 (5 years ahead of earlier planned schedule), from the original plan of 2030.”
He pointed out, “With the strong efforts made by all the stakeholders, we will achieve this target.”
Chief guest at the event, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, added that the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’, is based on the Innova Hycross and is engineered to adhere to India’s stricter emission standards, marking it as the first-ever BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle prototype globally.
He mentioned that the forthcoming stages for this prototype encompasses meticulous refinement, homologation, and certification processes.
Gadkari said Ethanol being an indigenous, eco-friendly and renewable fuel holds promising prospects for India.
He said the Government’s emphasis was on ethanol aligns with objectives of attaining energy self-sufficiency, doubling farmers’ income, transitioning them to Urjadata while continuing to support them as Annadata, and positively impacting the environment.
He said the day ethanol economy becomes of Rs.2 lakh crores agricultural growth rate will reach 20% from the current 12%.
Talking about innovations in biofuels, Gadkari spoke of bamboo being used for manufacturing bio ethanol by the Indian Oil Corp’s Numaligarh refinery in Asssam.
Minister of Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, MD & CEO, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Masakazu Yoshimura, and Chairperson and Managing Director, Kirloskar System Pvt Ltd, Geetanjali Kirloskar, also attended the event. Fiinews.com
