E85 Fuel: If you’re concerned about the increasing costs of petrol and diesel, this information will be beneficial. The Narendra Modi administration has introduced a fuel that is 20 rupees less expensive than petrol. As part of this effort, the central government has launched the first E85 fuel station in Delhi. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated this E85 fuel station at the Indian Oil outlet on Pusa Road in Delhi.
What is E85 fuel?
E85 fuel consists of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent petrol. This higher ethanol content decreases reliance on crude oil and helps lower fuel prices. Utilizing E85 will cut down the country’s oil import expenses and lessen dependence on foreign sources. Additionally, ethanol is produced locally from agricultural materials, which will greatly benefit farmers.
What is the price?
The cost of E85 fuel has been established at Rs 82.12 per liter in Delhi. This is roughly Rs 20 cheaper than the current price of E20 petrol. It’s important to note that E20 petrol is a mixture of 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol. To ensure customer convenience, E85 dispensers are distinctly branded and labeled to prevent any confusion. At present, E85 cannot be used in regular gasoline vehicles; it requires specially designed flex-fuel vehicles.
What is the government’s plan?
Recently, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that the government is planning to establish 50 to 100 ethanol fuel stations in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur. Puri expressed optimism that this network will expand to 500 stations by the end of 2026. The minister mentioned that if Euro 6 standard vehicles can be adapted to use E100 fuel (vehicles operating on 100 percent ethanol), it could potentially reduce crude oil imports by around US$120 billion.
India has already met the goal of 20 percent ethanol blending in gasoline, which has helped decrease reliance on imported crude oil and lower carbon emissions. Experts believe that as the number of flex-fuel vehicles increases, E85 could become an important alternative as a cheap and indigenous fuel in India.
