India Leads World with Ethanol-Run Cars: Gadkari's Bold Vision

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that Indian companies are producing 100% ethanol-run vehicles. He highlighted India's first Euro 6-emission compliant flex engine car, Toyota's Rs 20,000 crore investment, and its potential benefits for farmers and the environment.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Monday that several Indian companies are establishing plants to manufacture 100% ethanol-run cars and two-wheelers. Gadkari arrived at Parliament in a Toyota-produced vehicle, claiming it is the world's first with a flex engine compliant with Euro 6 emission norms, offering net zero emissions and powered by ethanol made from sugarcane juice, molasses, and corn.

Recently, Toyota revealed plans to establish a flex car plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, with an Rs 20,000 crore investment. Gadkari noted that Tata and Suzuki are also working on flex engines, while Bajaj, TVS, and Hero are developing flex-engine bikes and scooters.

'Other manufacturers are following suit with flex engines. Just as we have petrol pumps, farmers will now have ethanol pumps. This move will reduce pollution, cut costs, and benefit farmers,' Gadkari stated. Earlier in August 2023, Gadkari unveiled an electrified flex-fuel car, compliant with Bharat Stage VI norms, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motors.

Prototypes are ready for mass production by Toyota, which has announced the setup of a plant in Aurangabad for this purpose. The August 2023 prototype, a 100% ethanol-based Toyota Innova HyCross, can cover 40% of its distance on ethanol and the remaining 60% on electric power.

While flex-fuel vehicles have been introduced globally, including Toyota's 2022 flex-fuel Corolla, India is now set to produce BS-VI compliant flex-fuel vehicles domestically. 'The ethanol industry will transform India's agricultural economy, given the rising ethanol demand,' said Gadkari. 'Flex cars will be a boon for farmers, with ethanol pumps emerging just like petrol stations,' he added.