While the need of the hour for the Government of India was to reduce crude oil import, a whopping 85 percent from other countries, and reduce pollution, does the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, having generated tremendous furore, truly augur well for India’s automotive future?

Industry leaders from India’s leading oil companies, automotive industry bodies and OEMs came together on 30 August 2025, to discuss its directives, including the employment of sugarcane farmers.

Setting the tone for the evening, Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) spoke about BS6 and BS6 Phase Two as unique current propositions that prepared the ground for ethanol addition into petrol. He mentioned, “While ARAI is responsible for maximum testing, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and oil companies have also played important parts.”  

2001 was the year when ethanol blends were first done in India. The systematic sequence of ethanol-based blend tests after the above was as follows:

• 2010- Multiple studies done over 10 percent blending
• 2016- BS4 testing was done on 7–8-year-old vehicles
• 2021- A detailed study was done on 8–10-year-old vehicles

Fuel efficiency will go down

Industry speakers confirmed that fuel efficiency from E20 will decrease by 2-5 percent. However, Prashant K Bannerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, averred, “Fuel efficiency is determined by terrain and driving habits, leading to different experiences for different customers. Owing to complex and variable factors, it cannot always be pointed towards the fuel.” Though better octane numbers have now been attained, the energy generated is six percent lesser than pure petrol.

As a country that has successfully adopted EBP, Brazil, with E27 and an overall blend of 45 percent, was quoted numerous times. Milind Pagare, VP (R&D), Bajaj Auto, shared his views on the company’s two-wheelers sold in India and abroad. He said, “We will always provide fuel-related help to our customers whenever necessary. However, I’m sure that there will be no catastrophic engine failures due to EBP.”   

Experiments are necessary for progress

“Experiments will keep happening; otherwise, we can’t go ahead. We will always rely on scientific studies for progress,” said Mathai. Although he could not give a figure when asked about the E20-compliant percentage on Indian roads, he stated that the industry has tested two-wheelers which are 10 years old and four-wheelers between 8-10 years of age for the blend in 2016 and 2021, respectively. Mathai said, “We couldn’t say anything for sure when E20 came in 2021.”

Bannerjee assured that, “OEMs will have no warranty-related changes due to EBP. Whatever is committed to the customer at the time of sale will be honoured fully. Neither warranty nor insurance will be impacted by the above.”

Most attendees were of the opinion that OEMs and oil companies were not providing any clarity about E20-related faults. Ascertaining the need for the above, Bannerjee said, “We need to clearly articulate about the fuel to our customers. This can be done through a series of summary statements that could be press releases or FAQs.” He said that the statements will be released on the SIAM, ARAI, or OEM pages at the earliest.

He further added, “Most OEMS have or are in the process of communicating to dealers that E20 can be used in E10 vehicles without any concern.” In other words, E20 will cause no problems on any vehicles, including the ones that are marked E5-E10. Specific models of the two-wheelers and four-wheelers have been tested BS3 onwards and he mentioned that no vehicle has encountered engine failure due to E20 to date, after testing over 100,000 kilometres. The setting up of an arbitrary testing agency across vintages and makes of vehicles was also mentioned.   

India becomes self-sufficient in ethanol distillation

Anurag Saraogi, Chief General Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) expressed contentment at attaining a high level of energy security in India. Backing up the above with figures, he averred, “Eight billion litres of distilleries have come up over the years, and the best part is that these are entirely indigenous.”

Ethanol is prepared from sugarcane, maize and other grains, after which it is mixed with petrol. As UP, Maharashtra and Karnataka are the three major Indian sugarcane states, the oil industry formed long-term agreements with entrepreneurs for country-wide provision. The quantity from sugar molasses has gone up to 3.5-3.7 billion litres today.

Maize is the leading provider of ethanol, contributing 40 percent. Today, maize farming is more viable than ever before, with farmers being recognised as ‘Urjadaatas’ (energy-givers). They’re being offered INR 72 per litre to grow more maize for ethanol and have been paid INR 400 billion in 2025. Payments are being made to the farmers alone.

PS Ravi, Director, Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), said, “In 2014, we achieved a 1.5 percent blend, resulting in 380 million litres of ethanol. While E10 was made available across India in 2019, we have been able to get to 7.5 billion litres by 2025. At this rate, we can safely target procurement and blending of 11-12 billion litres by 2026.” Adding to this, he said, “India is already setting up pilot plants for using high agri residues to prepare the second generation of ethanol.”

Talking about pricing, Ravi said, “The procurement price of ethanol is much more than cost of petrol. Yet, the oil industry is still maintaining a constant price despite Minimum Selling Prices (MSPs) and higher ethanol being derived from feedstock. 

Apart from the above, the industry experts expects India to save INR 1,440 billion in terms of FOREX. As a low-carbon intensity fuel, it will easily achieve net-zero emissions, resulting in a cost-effective pathway for energy transition.

Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), said, “Through its 2070 emission plan and circular economy, India will become the global reference model. Farmers will spend more, contributing to the economy.”

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South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Group has significantly expanded its collaboration in Singapore through two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), focusing on future mobility, advanced technologies and low-carbon solutions. The agreements were signed with HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore.

The MoU with HTX focuses on the application of advanced technologies to boost the operational readiness of Singapore’s fleet of public safety vehicles.

Kia PBV Demonstration: The partners will conduct a demonstration project for the Kia PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) modular electric vehicle (EV) platform by the end of 2028. This aims to create a unified operational platform to transform fleet operations for the Home Team departments, such as police and civil defence forces.

Beyond Mobility: The collaboration will also explore joint research and application of robotics and hydrogen energy for public safety systems.

Ilbum Kim, Executive Vice-President and Head of Global Policy Office, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Hyundai Motor Group has established a solid foundation for driving public mobility innovation in partnership with the Singaporean government, leveraging our proprietary technologies. Through real-world demonstrations of mobility solutions, we will continue to lead global innovation in future technologies such as robotics and hydrogen.”

Chan Tsan, Chief Executive, HTX, said, “Every partnership we forge is about advancing science and technology to empower the Home Team with better tools and smarter systems. This collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group enables us to push the boundaries of future mobility technologies and bring cutting-edge innovations into real-world Home Team operations and beyond,”

EDB Partnership: Low-Carbon and Hydrogen Technology

The second MoU with the EDB focuses on identifying opportunities to develop low-carbon technologies, including hydrogen. This builds on the existing partnership through the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS).

The Group is exploring potential collaborations, including the use of Singapore’s pipeline network for efficient hydrogen distribution, aiming to address logistical challenges.

Jaeha Park, Vice-President, Head of Global Hydrogen Business Sub-Division, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “We are excited to collaborate with the EDB to explore new growth areas, including the development of low-carbon technologies. By bringing our cutting-edge expertise in hydrogen technology, this partnership represents a significant step forward in creating a clean energy future for Singapore. We look forward to driving impactful solutions that demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a cornerstone of global sustainability.”

Zheng Jingxin, Vice-President and Head of Mobility, Singapore Economic Development Board, said, “This MoU builds on the strong partnership between EDB and Hyundai Motor Group. The collaboration is closely aligned to Singapore’s commitment to develop a low-carbon economy, by supporting companies on sustainable technology development. This will strengthen Singapore’s position as a global innovation hub within Hyundai Motor Group’s global network,”

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Statiq, an electric vehicle charging network provider, has partnered with German luxury brand BMW Group India to establish a high-power charging corridor across the country's major driving routes. The initiative aims to install charging stations of a minimum of every 120 kW every 300-350km, facilitating intercity travel for users.

The collaboration has created a robust charging corridor spanning over 4,000 km from Jammu to Madurai. The fast chargers are strategically located on key highways and public spaces, and they are accessible to all EV owners, regardless of brand. BMW customers can locate and access these chargers through the myBMW app.

• The chargers deployed offer capacities ranging from 120 kW to 720 kW.
• Chargers are placed near cafes, restaurants and public spaces to enhance the customer experience.

Statiq's network currently includes more than 8,000 EV chargers in over 70 cities and has integrated its platform with other major charging providers like E-Fill, Sunfuel and GLIDA to expand usability.

Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq, said, “The partnership with marks a defining moment for India’s ecosystem. By enabling high-power charging every 300-350km, we are addressing the core challenge of range anxiety and providing the confidence needed for long-distance electric mobility. Our core mission at Statiq has always been to make EV charging easy, accessible and reliable for all, and this corridor puts India firmly on the global map of green mobility leaders.”

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is immensely proud to be the first luxury carmaker to surpass the remarkable milestone of 5,000 electric vehicle deliveries. We are pleased to partner with Statiq and an additional charging operator to expand our charging infrastructure. Through this initiative, we are working steadily towards creating a great travel experience for all electric mobility consumers with complete peace of mind.”

Statiq has clear plans to install 20,000 charging points and foster partnerships to create a robust, inclusive EV infrastructure ecosystem.

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has surpassed the 100,000 electric vehicle sales milestone in India, becoming the second passenger vehicle manufacturer to achieve this feat in the country. The company's diverse EV portfolio now contributes over 70 percent to its overall month-on-month sales.

The brand's EV market share has grown significantly, expanding from 26 percent in CY2024 to 35 percent currently. JSW MG Motor India attributes this milestone to the robust performance of its EV offerings, which cater to varied customer demands for clean and intelligent mobility solutions.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said: “Crossing the 100,000 EV sales milestone reflects the trust Indian customers place in sustainable choices. I thank our customers and the entire JSW MG Motor India team for this momentous milestone. As mobility evolves, we remain committed to driving India’s vision of innovative and clean mobility solutions.”

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Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini (KGTL), the joint venture between Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions and Tonino Lamborghini, has appointed Surge Systems as its authorised dealer for the electric luxury golf and lifestyle cart range in India. This partnership is set to leverage Surge Systems' expertise in professional turf maintenance and aftersales support to establish Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini's presence in the luxury golf cart market.

The golf carts, which the company describes as embodying Italian design and Indian engineering, are marketed as a luxury lifestyle statement under the 'Make In India' initiative.

Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini aims to achieve an annual revenue of INR 25 billion over the next five years and capture 10 percent of the global golf car market. The appointment of an authorised dealer in India supports the company's commitment to both building and selling in India, while also contributing to its export ambitions.

Dr. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green, said, “A symphony of Italian design and Indian engineering, the KGTL’s Golf Carts embody the Make In India initiative and a luxury lifestyle statement. On this journey, we are thrilled to onboard Surge Systems as our official dealer partner and looking forward to their positive contribution. I am confident that the company’s unique credibility, exceptional after-sales service, and extensive network will add value to our presence in India. Our collaboration with Surge Systems allows us to leverage their deep technical expertise, established customer trust and premium market presence while introducing a globally renowned luxury brand into its portfolio.’’

Ferruccio Lamborghini, Vice-President, Tonino Lamborghini, said, "This collaboration with Kinetic Green marks an exciting new chapter in the history of the brand founded by my father over 45-years ago. Together, we have created a project that combines the best of two worlds: the elegance and identity of Italian design with the strength, efficiency and innovation of Indian manufacturing. This is more than an industrial joint venture – it is a bridge between two entrepreneurial cultures, united by a shared vision of the future. We chose India not only as a strategic production base, but also as a symbol of openness, growth and global ambition."

Antony Bijoy, CEO, Surge Systems, said, “At Surge System, our strength lies in engineering excellence and responsive technical support. Representing Tonino Lamborghini and Kinetic Green electric luxury golf carts is a natural extension of our commitment to performance, reliability and service, delivering not just luxury mobility, but a robust, sustainable solution.’’

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