India is poised to introduce a mandate for blending isobutanol with diesel as early as this year, announced V Umashankar, Secretary at the Ministry of Roads Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The move, discussed at the CII Multimodal Transportation and Logistics Summit on May 29, is expected to have a substantial impact on the nation's energy security.
Umashankar highlighted the critical role of diesel in India's energy landscape, noting that its consumption is nearly double that of petrol. He emphasized that isobutanol blending with diesel would therefore yield a far greater impact on energy security than even the current ethanol blending with petrol.
Strategic Research Shows Encouraging Results
Bharat Petroleum is actively engaged in strategic research for isobutanol blending with diesel, with preliminary results described as “very encouraging.” This research forms the basis for the anticipated blending mandate, which is expected to be implemented later in the year.
Currently, while petrol has a 20% ethanol blending mandate (E20), no similar directive exists for diesel. The government is also exploring proposals to increase the base ethanol blend in petrol from 20% to 25% before the decade's end, further underscoring its commitment to alternative fuels.
Enhancing Energy Independence
The push for isobutanol blending aligns with India's broader strategy to reduce its reliance on imported crude oil and enhance domestic energy independence. By incorporating biofuels like isobutanol, the nation aims to mitigate price volatility and strengthen its economic resilience.