Nitin Gadkari announces expansion in ethanol vehicle production

  • Industry News
  • Aug 09,24
Toyota has recently committed to investing Rs 200 billion in a new plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, for manufacturing flex-fuel cars.
Nitin Gadkari announces expansion in ethanol vehicle production

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that several Indian companies are establishing plants to produce vehicles running entirely on ethanol. Gadkari highlighted that he arrived at Parliament in a vehicle equipped with a flex engine that meets Euro 6 emission standards, producing net-zero emissions. This vehicle operates on ethanol derived from sugarcane juice, molasses, and corn.

Toyota has recently committed to investing Rs 200 billion in a new plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, for manufacturing flex-fuel cars. Gadkari also mentioned that Tata Motors and Suzuki are developing their own ethanol or flex-engine vehicles.

In the two-wheeler segment, manufacturers like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero are working on flex-engine bikes and scooters. Gadkari noted that similar to petrol stations, ethanol pumps will be established for farmers, which will help reduce pollution, cut costs, and support agricultural interests.

In August 2023, Gadkari introduced a prototype of a Bharat Stage (BS)-VI compliant electrified flex-fuel car developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motors. This prototype, based on the Toyota Innova HyCross model, can operate 40% of its distance on ethanol and 60% on electricity, with the petrol engine deactivated.

While flex-fuel vehicles have been available internationally, including Toyota’s 2022 flex-fuel Corolla, India is now preparing to produce vehicles that comply with its BS-VI emission standards. Gadkari emphasised that the growth of the ethanol industry will significantly benefit farmers and transform India's agricultural economy. 

(ET)

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