India’s decision to fast-track ethanol blending into petrol marks a milestone in its search for energy security and climate responsibility. By reaching the E20 blend ~ 20 per cent ethanol mixed with petrol ~ five years ahead of schedule, the country has demonstrated the political will and industrial capacity to alter its fuel mix at scale. The achievement has already yielded tangible benefits: reduced carbon emissions, trimmed oil import bills, and a message to the world that India intends to be a serious player in the clean energy transition. Yet, beneath these successes lies a knot of contradictions. Ethanol is not a perfect substitute for petrol.

Its lower energy density means that mileage tends to fall, especially in vehicles that were not designed for such blends. For millions of drivers, this translates into higher costs over time, compounded by the need to replace parts or buy special kits to make older vehicles........

© The Statesman