Nitin Gadkari Defends Ethanol-Blended Petrol, Says No Evidence Of Vehicle Damage

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has dismissed worries that petrol blended with ethanol could harm vehicles, demanding critics present evidence of any issues. Speaking at the Bihar Investor Summit 2026, Gadkari supported the government's ethanol-blending plan, stating it aimed to lessen India's reliance on traditional fuels while generating a new market for agricultural goods.

He cited that roughly 44 crore four-wheelers and 200 crore two-wheelers had been running on ethanol-blended petrol since 2022. Gadkari added that leading carmakers had also tested vehicles using greater ethanol components, including models capable of running exclusively on ethanol. He argued that concerns over ethanol blending were also tied to the interests of companies that depend on imported fuel.

India currently imports conventional fuel worth around ₹22 lakh crore, Gadkari explained. The minister stressed that the government's policy should be assessed beyond its impact on transportation, given that ethanol production has introduced a fresh avenue for farmers to profit from their crops. According to Gadkari, corn-based ethanol production has created earnings of up to ₹45,000 crore for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

He saw the program as part of a larger initiative to broaden agriculture into the energy and power sectors. This way, farmers could become producers of both food and energy, he said. Gadkari also highlighted other attempts to create alternative fuels using agricultural resources. He mentioned the production of aviation fuel using rice straw, emphasizing the potential of farm waste as an energy source.

The minister emphasized that innovation, technology, and research would be crucial in increasing alternative fuels, adding that Bihar could play a crucial role in this area. The government has pushed ethanol blending as part of efforts to cut dependence on imported fossil fuels and boost domestic energy sources. Gadkari claimed the program could concurrently create new markets for agricultural products and extra economic opportunities for farmers.