Gadkari to ethanol producers: ‘No need to worry about methanol, biodiesel, or hydrogen; there is ample room to coexist’

Union Highway Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari alleviated the issues of ethanol producers within the nation on Thursday, stating that they need to not fear about competitors from different biofuels akin to methanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen.“All these fuels have a spot sooner or later power panorama, and there’s enough room for them to coexist and develop collectively,” Gadkari mentioned. He emphasised the federal government’s dedication to creating a diversified biofuels sector, acknowledging the huge potential of assorted fuels to create a cleaner, extra sustainable power panorama.

“Folks typically say you discuss EVs, ethanol, methanol, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen. What would be the destiny of ethanol with the emergence of assorted inexperienced fuels? I imagine that ethanol’s prospects will stay unaffected. Even when the manufacturing capacities of all these different inexperienced fuels are mixed, India will nonetheless rely closely on importing fossil fuels, leaving ample room for ethanol to proceed rising. There’s a number of potential on this sector,” mentioned Gadkari whereas addressing the 4th Version of the Sugar-Ethanol and Bio-Vitality India Convention (SEIC) 2025, organised by ChiniMandi in Delhi.

“Ethanol has to play an enormous function in India’s transportation economic system since we have now a fossil gas import of round Rs 22 lakh crore. Additionally, seeing the rise in air air pollution, I don’t see we have now to take a step backwards when it comes to ethanol,” he added.

Vital analysis is at present underway in biofuels and different fuels. “In a notable shift, public notion of EVs has remodeled from skepticism—the place individuals would humorously ask about pushing stalled EVs—to overwhelming demand, with consumers now dealing with substantial ready lists, he mentioned.

The ethanol sector is poised to make a major financial affect. In line with him, the sector has a possible to contribute roughly 3% to India’s Gross Home Product (GDP) sooner or later. “There are 178 parliamentary constituencies the place farmers are linked with sugarcane manufacturing,” he mentioned,“One factor may be very clear…the way forward for this trade may be very, excellent. Shifting ahead, India additionally plans to discover ethanol exports and create value-added merchandise, additional boosting the sector’s development and financial potential,” Gadkari famous.