Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged India to fast-track its shift to complete ethanol blending in petrol, warning that global energy risks demand urgent action. Speaking at the Indian Federation of Green Energy's Green Transport Conclave on April 20, Gadkari stressed that India's heavy reliance on imported crude—around 87% of needs—leaves the nation exposed amid West Asian conflicts and volatile oil prices. "We must aim for 100% ethanol blending to ensure energy security," he said, spotlighting the progress from 1.53% blending in 2014 to 15% by 2024 and the early achievement of the 20% E20 target last year.

India's ethanol program has gained momentum, with blending hitting E20 ahead of schedule in 2025, thanks to government incentives for sugarcane-based production. Gadkari cited Brazil's success with full ethanol use in flex-fuel vehicles as a blueprint, noting it has curbed emissions, stabilized prices, and empowered farmers—benefits India can replicate to save billions in foreign exchange.

Beyond cutting import bills, full blending promises cleaner air by slashing tailpipe emissions over 50%, a boon for polluted cities like Delhi. It also boosts rural incomes through ethanol from surplus crops and creates jobs in distilleries. Gadkari tied this to broader goals like green hydrogen but emphasized ethanol's faster rollout.

While E20 rollout faced some public pushback over vehicle compatibility, automakers are adapting with flex-fuel options. Scaling to 100% requires boosting production and refining policies, but experts see it as feasible by 2030 with focused investment. Gadkari's bold pitch aligns with national self-reliance drives, potentially positioning India as a green energy leader in the developing world.