During a ceremony in Madhya Pradesh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Centre is developing 100% ethanol flex‑fuel engines that can run on E100. The announcement followed the inauguration of a new public bus service by Gadkari and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Ethanol production has already lifted maize prices from ₹1,200 to ₹2,600 per quintal, according to Gadkari. He said the surge would boost farmers' earnings and reinforce the country’s self‑reliance.
India imports petroleum worth ₹22 lakh crore, Gadkari said, highlighting the need to curb dependence on foreign fuels. The shift to ethanol, along with electric and hydrogen vehicles, could cut pollution and fuel imports while keeping safety standards. The ministry also unveiled a PM e‑Bus Sewa scheme that has sanctioned 972 buses out of a target of 10,000, with an estimated outlay of ₹57,000 crore.
The government will issue guidelines for manufacturers to integrate the flex‑fuel technology in upcoming models by the end of 2025. A rollout plan will pair the new engines with the existing bus network, aiming to create 45 to 55 lakh jobs and lift the bus‑to‑population ratio to eight per 1,000.