Ethanol Powers Racing Cars Too: Hardeep Singh Puri Defends India's Biofuel Push

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has defended the government's ethanol blending programme, highlighting that ethanol is widely used in racing cars due to its high-performance capabilities.

Speaking amid recent volatility in global crude oil prices caused by the Middle East crisis, Puri said biofuels help reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil while easing the financial burden on oil marketing companies.

He noted that ethanol's use extends beyond regular vehicles, with racing cars also relying on the fuel because of its superior performance characteristics. According to the minister, ethanol has a high octane rating of around 108 RON, making it particularly suitable for high-performance engines that require greater efficiency and power.

Puri also pointed out that several countries, including Canada, Thailand, Japan, and many European nations, have adopted higher ethanol blending in transportation fuels. He said India's E20 programme, which promotes a 20% ethanol blend in petrol, is in line with this global trend.

The government has consistently maintained that increasing ethanol blending will strengthen India's energy security, reduce fuel imports, support domestic agriculture through higher demand for feedstocks, and contribute to lower carbon emissions.

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