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India has notified standards for up to 30% ethanol blending in petrol.
India is quietly laying the groundwork for the next phase of its ethanol-blending programme. After rolling out E20 petrol, the government has now framed technical standards for fuel blends containing up to 30% ethanol, a move that signals a deeper push towards biofuels.
In a notification dated 18 May, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) laid down specifications for E22, E25, E27 and E30 petrol blends—fuels containing 22%, 25%, 27% and 30% ethanol, respectively.
The timing is significant. With crude oil prices volatile and global supply chains under strain amid tensions in West Asia, reducing dependence on imported oil has become a policy priority.
The standards cover fuel quality, safety, storage and engine compatibility, effectively preparing the ecosystem for vehicles that can run on higher ethanol content. Carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., have indicated they are ready to adapt if the government moves ahead with implementation.
The ethanol industry has welcomed the move, arguing that India already has surplus production capacity that remains underutilised. Higher blending could help absorb excess supply while lowering oil imports and emissions.
For consumers, the shift may not be immediate, but it signals where India’s fuel strategy is headed—more locally produced biofuel, less imported crude, and eventually more flex-fuel vehicles on the road. Read more.
MARKET WATCH
📉 Caution Abound: India’s stock market slipped today as profit booking, weak global cues, rising crude prices, and concerns around the US-Iran conflict weighed on investor mood.
🔻 Broader > Benchmark: Sensex fell 114 points (🔻0.15%) to 75,200.85, while Nifty 50 declined 32 points (🔻0.14%) to 23,618. The midcaps and smallcaps were resilient with gains of 0.73% and 1.17%, respectively.
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