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Informist, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025

 

--Auto R&D body: Need up to 18 mos for isobutanol-diesel blend study result

--Auto R&D body: Praj Industries-SIAM to run isobutanol-diesel blend pilot

--Auto R&D body: Ethanol-diesel blending failed as it had low flashpoint

 

By Pallavi Singhal and Anand JC

 

NEW DELHI – A study on the compatibility and extent for blending isobutanol with diesel for vehicles is likely to take up to 18 months to conclude, Automotive Research Association of India's Director Reji Mathai told Informist on the sidelines of the India Sugar & Bio-energy Conference on Friday.

 

The Automotive Research Association of India is an autonomous body affiliated with the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The pilot project on the blending will be carried out by Praj Industries Ltd. and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Mathai said.

Indian customers currently have access to E20 fuel, which is a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. Isobutanol is a biofuel derived from ethanol after fermenting it. Isobutanol has more energy density than ethanol, which is an alcohol compound extracted from sugarcane molasses and grains. In addition, isobutanol is less corrosive.

 

The Centre has pushed for blending ethanol in diesel. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said the results of blending ethanol with diesel were not satisfactory. "Ethanol blending with diesel failed as it had a very low flashpoint," Mathai said.

 

"Surplus ethanol can be used to produce isobutanol, which can be blended with diesel. This will help in using surplus ethanol and also check pollution," Mathai said.

 

India has been pushing for blending higher levels of ethanol in petrol as an import substitute, cost-effective and indigenous measure that also helps the country's farmers. Concerns have been raised over the use of ethanol-blended petrol in four-wheelers and two-wheelers.

 

However, Gadkari has brushed them aside by saying this won't affect the performance of cars. "We have not received a single official complaint," Gadkari said through a video message at the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India's 65th annual session in New Delhi on Friday. "It is the pro-oil-import lobby that is behind the social media propaganda against E20 fuel," Gadkari said.  End

 

Edited by Avishek Dutta

 

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