Context:
Recently, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India unveiled the Prototype of BS-6 Stage-II, Electrified Flex fuel vehicle.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle: A Breakthrough in Sustainable Mobility
- Ethanol and Ethanol Blending in India
Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle: A Breakthrough in Sustainable Mobility
- Introduction to the world’s first BS-6 Stage-II Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle.
- Unique combination of a Flexi Fuel engine and an electric powertrain.
Understanding the Mechanics of Flexible Fuel Cars Utilizing Ethanol
- Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and their internal combustion engines.
- Capability to operate using various gasoline-ethanol blends, up to 83% ethanol.
- Common composition of flex fuel: 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.
- Overcoming the energy disparity: Bio-ethanol’s lower energy content.
- Advancements in technology to equalize the calorific value of bio-ethanol and petrol.
- Pioneering the way: India’s first 100% dual fuel vehicle for Indian roads.
- Global Landscape of Flex Fuel Engines: Adoption and Popularity
- Prevalence of flex fuel engines in diverse regions: Brazil, the United States, European Union, China.
- Implication of widespread use and its contribution to sustainable transportation.
Ethanol and Ethanol Blending in India:
- Ethanol is an agricultural by-product obtained mainly from the processing of sugar from sugarcane, but it can also be derived from other sources such as rice husk or maize.
- Ethanol blending is the practice of mixing ethanol with petrol in order to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels in vehicles.
- E20 fuel refers to a blend consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.
- In February 2023, the Prime Minister of India launched the E20 fuel pilot project in Bengaluru, which involves blending 20% ethanol with petrol.
- Initially, this pilot project covers at least 15 cities and is expected to be gradually implemented nationwide.
- Over the years, India has been steadily increasing the proportion of ethanol blended with petrol. The blending rate has risen from 1.53% in 2013-14 to 10.17% in 2022.
- The government has advanced its target of achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025, aiming to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- As part of its G20 presidency, the Indian government has proposed the establishment of a global biofuel alliance with countries like Brazil. This alliance would focus on promoting the use of biofuels internationally.
-Source: The Hindu
