NEW DELHI: Ethanol-blended diesel has failed the required security specs as a result of the addition of ethanol causes a pointy fall within the gas’s flash level, doubtlessly limiting its use until the technical concern is addressed, the federal government advised Parliament on Monday.Minister of State for Petroleum and Pure Fuel Suresh Gopi mentioned public-sector oil advertising and marketing firms (OMCs) had examined ethanol-diesel blends by means of their analysis and growth centres, working with accredited laboratories and car producers.“Scientific evaluations on mixing of ethanol with diesel have been undertaken by Public Sector Oil Advertising and marketing Firms (OMCs) by means of their respective R&D centres in collaboration with accredited laboratories and car producers. It was noticed that ethanol blended diesel was not assembly diesel flash level as its flash level lowered drastically as a result of presence of ethanol,” he mentioned in a written reply, as quoted by PTI.Also read: Ethanol or EVs? India needs both for cleaner mobility, says IFGEThe findings come as India appears to develop the usage of ethanol as a transport gas and create further demand for rising home manufacturing. The nation’s ethanol mixing programme has to this point centred on petrol, with the federal government focusing on 20% mixing.Gopi additionally mentioned isobutanol shouldn’t be at present being blended with diesel. The federal government has not taken any determination to extend ethanol mixing in petrol past 20%, he mentioned, including that any such transfer would comply with scientific and technical research and consultations with automakers, OMCs and analysis establishments.In the meantime, state-run OMCs floated their first tender in September 2025 for round 10.5 billion litres of ethanol for the 2025-26 provide 12 months. Suppliers supplied almost 17.6 billion litres, round 68% greater than the amount sought, following which OMCs allotted 10.485 billion litres to 378 registered suppliers.Also read: ‘Will pure petrol come from your father’s house?’: BJP MP on ethanol blendingThe federal government can be exploring ethanol as a cooking gas, doubtlessly creating one other outlet for home manufacturing whereas decreasing dependence on imported LPG. “Using ethanol as a cooking gas could emerge because the potential biofuel different to fossil gas based mostly cooking answer which can assist in discount of LPG import dependence and supply clear cooking answer. This will likely additionally allow efficient utilization of surplus ethanol manufacturing capability within the nation,” Gopi mentioned.He added that the initiative was aligned with the federal government’s broader push for cleaner and different cooking fuels.The LPG Gear Analysis Centre, a three way partnership of Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum, is working with public-sector OMCs to develop ethanol-based clear cooking alternate options. The federal government has additionally launched measures together with curiosity subsidies, assist for sugar mills to transform distilleries to multi-feedstock amenities and long-term ethanol offtake agreements to spice up home manufacturing.
