New Delhi (Agency): In a significant move toward sustainable transportation, India’s Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas unveiled the world’s first prototype of a BS 6 Stage II Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle. Developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor, this innovative vehicle was presented during an event attended by top ministers, including Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
Shri Puri highlighted that this vehicle offers the “ability to use any of the higher blends of ethanol mix beyond 20%.” He emphasized that the vehicle’s engine can run both on a flex fuel system and an electric powertrain, allowing higher use of ethanol and better fuel efficiency.
Shri Gadkari stated that the vehicle, based on the Innova Hycross model, is designed to meet India’s strict emission norms. This makes it the first-ever BS 6 Stage II Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle globally. He added that the vehicle will go through “meticulous refinement, homologation, and certification processes” before hitting the market.
An Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle, like this prototype, has a dual engine system: a flexible fuel engine and an electric powertrain. This setup provides the benefit of higher fuel efficiency, similar to a Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV). According to experts, SHEVs can offer 30-50% better fuel efficiency and can operate 40-60% in EV mode with the engine shut off.
Shri Puri also pointed out that India has a vast ethanol potential that exceeds the current E20 mix. Promoting Flex Fuel Vehicles and Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles can help the country tap into this excess potential. The Minister added that various organizations, such as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC), support the use of green technologies for faster decarbonization.
The Government of India aims for ‘Atmanirbharta’ or self-reliance in energy by 2047. In line with this vision, the country has made significant strides in ethanol blending. Ethanol blending in India has grown more than eightfold in the last eight years, from 1.53% in 2014 to about 11.5% as of March 2023. The government plans to advance the target for E20 blending to 2025, five years ahead of the initial plan for 2030.
Shri Puri mentioned that the implementation of E20 fuel by April 2025 could result in annual import bill savings of around Rs 35,000 crore and displace 63 million barrels of gasoline.