Ethanol Blended
Petrol (EBP) Programme
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology, Economy, Science & Technology
Mains:
GS
Paper III-Economy, Environment, Science & Technology
Current
relevance:
The Government of India released a comprehensive note on the
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, highlighting its policy evolution,
achievements, and scientific evidence supporting E20 fuel.
At
a glance:
1. The EBP Programme promotes blending
ethanol with petrol to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and
encourage the use of domestically produced renewable biofuels.
2. It forms a key pillar of India's energy
transition and biofuel strategy.
3. Objective: To strengthen energy security by reducing crude oil
imports, lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance farmers' income through
additional markets for agricultural produce, and promote a cleaner,
self-reliant transport fuel ecosystem.
4. Sources of Ethanol Production:
i.
Sugarcane
juice
ii.
Sugarcane
molasses
iii.
Maize
iv.
Surplus
rice approved by the Government
v.
Other
approved agricultural feedstocks under the National Policy on Biofuels
5. Features
of E20 Fuel:
i.
E20
contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
ii.
Ethanol
is a high-octane fuel, improving
combustion efficiency.
iii.
Extensive
testing by SIAM, ARAI, IOCL, and automobile manufacturers has confirmed that E20
is safe for compatible vehicles.
iv.
E20
complies with BIS specifications and
BS-VI emission norms.
6. Global
Adoption of Ethanol Blending:
i.
Brazil mandates around E27 and is moving towards E35.
ii.
United States widely uses E10, with increasing adoption of E15 and E85 for flex-fuel
vehicles.
iii.
Japan, Canada, Thailand, and several European countries have
also adopted ethanol blending as part of their clean fuel strategies.
Source: PIB- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2281287®=3&lang=1