Crucial benefits of ethanol flex-fuel cars in India vs petrol/diesel vehicles

Earlier today, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari unveiled the world’s first-ever prototype of ethanol-powered electrified flex-fuel vehicle based on the Toyota Innova Hycross. At the unveiling, the Union Minister even went on to say that he dreams to have all cars, two-wheelers, and auto-rickshaws in India running on 100% ethanol.

But can ethanol flex-fuel cars actually replace petrol and diesel vehicles? Here is a list of some crucial benefits that vehicles running on ethanol flex-fuel (mix of ethanol and petrol) offer over regular petrol/diesel counterparts -




Cleaner for environment

First and foremost, ethanol flex-fuel has lower tailpipe emissions as compared to a standard petrol or a diesel engine. Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than the two, and even produces fewer toxic fumes and particles upon combustion. Hence, flex-fuel vehicles become a cleaner alternative for the environment. A flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle (FFV-SHEV) like the one that was unveiled today by Nitin Gadkari uses a strong hybrid system that can run on different grades of ethanol-blended petrol, going up to 100% ethanol as well.

Cheaper than petrol, diesel

Ethanol is actually cheaper than petrol and diesel, and a higher blend of ethanol in petrol can help the government keep fuel prices in check. India currently offers a blend of 10% ethanol in petrol, with the number set to rise up to 20% in two years' time. The government had previously announced that E20 fuel (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) will have a pan-India presence by 2025.




No dependence on crude oil

Ethanol is produced by converting sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose into cellular energy, and hence, does not rely on crude oil. This also means that ethanol is free from the fluctuating prices of crude oil, unlike other fuels like petrol and diesel. In the scenario of a rise in crude oil, petrol prices also take a hit, however, in a similar scenario ethanol prices will likely remain unchanged. Hence, increasing the amount of ethanol blend in petrol could lower the impact of rising crude oil price on the end user.


Sustainable

The production of ethanol from ingredients such as cane sugar and corn is an overall sustainable process Most of the fuel ethanol produced around the world is made by fermenting the sugar in the starches of grains, and denaturants are then added to make fuel ethanol unconsumable for humans. Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant fermentation, which makes it much more sustainable as compared to petrol or diesel.

Easier to adopt

Flex-fuel vehicles are easier to adopt as compared to say a fully battery-powered electric vehicle. Since flex-fuel vehicles also use an internal combustion engine to run, the adoption of such vehicles is easier than other green alternatives. Existing engines can even be modified by manufacturers to run a higher blend of ethanol. It should be noted that a host of vehicles in India, including mass-market two-wheelers and cars A host of cars in India are already E20 fuel compliant.




Tax benefits

India had previously expanded the excise duty exemption for biofuels to encourage the blending of higher proportions of ethanol and components of vegetable oil with petrol and diesel. The tax exemption is applicable on an ethanol portion of 12% - 15% blended with petrol. Furthermore, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had recently put forth a resounding appeal to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for a relaxation in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on flex-fuel vehicles. As of now, flex-fuel vehicles carry a 28% GST, as against the 5% GST rate applicable on EVs. Tax benefits would of course, result in the faster adoption of flex-fuel vehicles.

Would you consider purchasing a flex-fuel vehicle in the near future considering all the benefits mentioned above over petrol and diesel vehicles? Let us know in the comments down below.
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