In July, ethanol blending with petrol reached 15.80 percent, and cumulative ethanol blending from November 2023 to July 2024 touched 13.3 percent.
As of August 1, 2024, 15,493 PSU outlets out of a total of 82,246 PSU retail outlets are dispensing E20 ethanol-blended motor spirit (MS).
According to available official data, ethanol received by PSU OMCs under the EBP program in July 2024 was 60.4 crore liters, and 461.3 crore liters from November 2023 to July 2024. Ethanol blended under the EBP program in July 2024 was 64.7 crore liters, and 471.9 crore liters from November 2023 to July 2024.
Recently, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, informed that the ethanol production capacity has increased to 1,589 crore liters per annum.
Government aims to achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025. To achieve the same, about 1016 crore litres of ethanol are required, and the total requirement of ethanol including for other uses is 1350 crore litres. For this, about 1700 crore liters of ethanol-producing capacity are required to be in place by 2025, considering the plant operates at 80% efficiency. The Government has estimated the demand for ethanol required for 20% blending by 2025, keeping in view the growth of petrol-based vehicles in two-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments and the projected sale of Motor Spirit.
