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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2687
ANSWERED ON – 16/03/2026
ETHANOL BLENDING (E20) AND GLOBAL BIOFUEL ALLIANCE
2687. SHRI LAHAR SINGH SIROYA:
SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:
DR. SUMER SINGH SOLANKI:
SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA:
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether India has officially achieved the 20 per cent Ethanol Blending (E20) target across
all retail outlets as of February 2026 and roadmap for transitioning toward E30 by 2030;
(b) the manner in which Ministry is supporting the development of 2G and 3G ethanol plants
under the JI-VAN Yojana to ensure feedstock sustainability without impacting food
security;
(c) the specific outcomes achieved through Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) in standardizing
biofuel trade and technology transfers between India and Brazil in 2026;
(d) whether there is a proposal to provide additional financial incentives for retrofitting of
older vehicles to ensure compatibility with higher ethanol blends; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a): Government has promoted blending of ethanol in petrol under the Ethanol Blended
Petrol (EBP) Programme. The National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, as amended in 2022, inter-
alia, advanced the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year
(ESY) 2025–26 (1st November, 2025 to 31st October, 2026). This target of 20% has been
achieved in December, 2025 due to the concerted efforts of Government. All retail outlets of
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across the mainland of the country, having
petrol selling facilities, dispense E20 petrol. At present, the ethanol blending with petrol is at
20%.
(b): Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool
fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana to provide financial assistance for setting up advanced biofuel
projects, including projects for Second Generation (2G) ethanol and Third Generation (3G)
ethanol, using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks. Under this scheme, the
maximum financial assistance of Rs.150 crore per project commercial scale projects and Rs. 15
crore per project for demonstration scale projects have been prescribed for improving
commercial viability as well as promoting R&D for development and adoption of technologies in
the field of production of advanced biofuels.(c): The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) held discussions, workshops and an investor forum
at Conference of the Parties (COP) 30 in Belém, Brazil, highlighting the role of biofuels and the
need for international collaboration in R&D, capacity building, and technical support to enable
project financing. During COP30, GBA also met with the Government of Brazil to advance the
global biofuels agenda, address policy resistance, and promote technological neutrality. Both
sides agreed to support biofuels through coordinated policies and scientific evidence in forums
such as COP, International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO), and World Trade Organization
(WTO).
(d) & (e): The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) constituted on 26.12.2020 under NITI
Aayog had, inter-alia, examined various aspects of vehicle compatibility and mileage. The study
did not indicate any compatibility issue or any negative effect of E20. The study have confirmed
that even legacy vehicles do not exhibit any significant variations in performance, nor do they
show abnormal wear-and-tear when operated with E20 parameters such as drivability,
startability, metal compatibility, and plastic compatibility.
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