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Gadkari Announces 100% Ethanol Car Launch in October Amid E20 Petrol Debate
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Moneycontrol•23-09-2026, 14:09
Gadkari Announces 100% Ethanol Car Launch in October Amid E20 Petrol Debate
- •Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a Toyota Innova capable of running on 100 percent ethanol will launch in October, reiterating support for ethanol and flex-fuel vehicles.
- •Gadkari stated the Toyota vehicle would use an electrified powertrain and claimed its running economics could be equivalent to petrol priced at about Rs 25 a litre.
- •Toyota Kirloskar Motor had previously unveiled an Innova Hycross-based electrified flex-fuel prototype in August 2023, designed to operate on ethanol blends beyond E20.
- •Gadkari highlighted that greater use of ethanol could boost demand for agricultural feedstock, citing Rs 45,000 crore generated for farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from maize-based ethanol.
- •Ethanol production capacity in India has significantly increased from 421 crore litres in 2014 to an estimated 2,000 crore litres by 2026, supported by expanded feedstock options.
Key Questions Answered
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that a Toyota vehicle capable of running on 100 percent ethanol is scheduled for launch in October.
According to Nitin Gadkari, the running economics of the 100 percent ethanol vehicle could work out to be the equivalent of petrol priced at about Rs 25 per litre.
Data from the petroleum ministry shows that India's domestic ethanol production capacity has grown significantly, rising from 421 crore litres in 2014 to about 2,000 crore litres in 2026.
