Flex-Fuel: Get ready to drive a flex-fuel engine next year, know why

Indian car or two-wheeler buyers will soon get a chance to buy their favorite vehicle with a flex-fuel engine. If the advice of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is implemented in time, then vehicles with flex-fuel engines can hit the market by the summer of next year.

Days after issuing an advisory to automakers to introduce flex-fuel engines in vehicles within six months, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has reiterated the need to do so soon.

In a series of tweets, Gadkari said that carmakers should start manufacturing BS-VI compliant flex-fuel vehicles and flex-fuel strong hybrid electric vehicles in a time-bound manner. Gadkari said that this scheme is in line with the policy of the Center to promote ethanol as a self-reliant India and transport fuel.

Flex-fueled vehicles are capable of running on 100% petrol or 100% bio-ethanol and a combination of their mixtures. Also, flex-fuel strong hybrid electric vehicles can run with strong hybrid-electric technology.

Gadkari also reiterated how flex-fuel engines can reduce carbon emissions to help India achieve the target set out in COP26. The move will help India reduce its fuel import bill at a time when petrol and diesel prices are skyrocketing.

The Center has launched a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for car manufacturers, auto component manufacturers, and auto components of flex-fuel engines to accelerate the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles. Gadkari had earlier said that automakers like TVS Motors and Bajaj Auto have started manufacturing flex-fuel engines for their two-wheelers and three-wheelers as well.

According to an official release, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has stipulated that in addition to conventional fuels, the authorized entities are required to provide at least one new generation alternative fuel - Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Bio-fuel, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). ), Electric Vehicle Charging Points, etc. - There is an urgent need to take steps to introduce flex-fuel engine vehicles while complying with various statutory guidelines.