No Decision On Ethanol Blending Beyond 20%: Minister In Rajya Sabha

The Indian government has officially met its target of 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol, achieving the milestone significantly earlier than the projected 2030 timeline. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated in the Rajya Sabha that the average blending rate has climbed from approximately 1.53 percent in 2013-14 to the current 20 percent for the 2025-26 supply year.

Minister Puri clarified that while the current objectives have been met, there are no immediate plans or decisions to push the ethanol blending percentage higher than the 20 percent mark. This follows more than two decades of a phased rollout designed to reduce fuel imports and decrease carbon emissions in the transport sector.

The rapid acceleration of the program was attributed to enhanced production capabilities and logistical improvements across the country. Future targets and technical feasibility studies would be required before any expansion of the blending program could be considered by the ministry. Source: Rajya Sabha proceedings.