The ethanol blending level in petrol in India has notably risen to a substantial 9.99%. This article delves into the understanding of ethanol blending, its relevance, and related concerns. It further explores ways ahead and even decodes a pertinent question from previous UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Understanding Ethanol Blending
Ethanol, one of the major biofuels, is derived either naturally through yeast-induced sugars fermentation or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) aims at lessening India’s reliance on crude oil imports, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing farmers’ income. The Government of India has brought the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol (E20) forward to 2025 from its previous target of 2030.
Significance of Ethanol Blending
By incorporating ethanol into gasoline, the quantity of petrol needed to fuel a vehicle can be decreased, thus mitigating dependence on imported, costly, and contaminating petroleum. Currently, India is dependent on imports for 85% of its oil needs. India’s net import of petroleum amounted to 185 million tonnes in 2020-21, costing USD551 billion. Since most petroleum products are in transportation, the E20 initiative could save India USD4 billion per year. Ethanol, being less polluting, provides equivalent efficiency to petrol but at a cheaper cost. Several factors support the plan for E20, including large arable land availability, growing production of food grains and sugarcane, the feasibility of making vehicles compliant with EBP, and technological advancements to produce ethanol from plant-based sources.
Concerns Surrounding Ethanol Blending
The new ethanol blending goal primarily focuses on food-based feedstocks due to grain surpluses and wide availability of technologies. This is a shift from the 2018 National Policy on Biofuels, which prioritized other raw materials. Although this may boost the economy, it raises concerns about potential hunger risks if food grains meant for impoverished people are sold to distilleries at lower prices than what states pay for their public distribution networks. Other issues include the high costs and substantial water usage associated with biofuel production as well as the lower energy yield of some biofuels compared to fossil fuels.
Exploring the Way Forward
India can position itself as a global leader in sustainable biofuels policy by focusing on creating ethanol from wastes instead of food crops. This switch can contribute to climate preservation and air quality improvement since these wastes are currently often burned, leading to smog. A new ethanol policy must take into account the potential for aggravating the water crisis and prioritize food production over fuel crop cultivation. Further, it is vital to explore alternative mechanisms such as enhancing Electric Vehicle uptake and installing additional renewable energy generation capacities.
Previous Years Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
A recent UPSC Civil Services exam included a question on raw materials for the production of biofuels according to India’s National Policy on Biofuels. The correct answer indicated that damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, and rotten potatoes unfit for human consumption could be used, along with sugarcane juice, sugar-containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, and starch containing materials like corn, cassava for ethanol production. This expansion of scope for ethanol production raw materials testifies to the government’s commitment to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and embrace cleaner, sustainable alternatives.