Nitin Gadkari told Lok Sabha today that India’s push for ethanol-blended petrol is helping farmers and cutting the nation’s fuel import bill in a big way.
He said the shift to E-20 fuel has shown no negative impact on vehicles after extensive testing, easing concerns raised by some members.
“Use of E-20 petrol (Ethanol Blended Petrol) is a healthy trend. It is a green transition. It is less polluted and also saves foreign exchange,” Gadkari said during Question Hour.
He explained that the program has already delivered major gains for the farm sector, with about ₹40,000 crore reaching growers who supply sugarcane, maize, and other feedstock for ethanol production.
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The minister stressed that the blending effort supports both clean mobility and rural income growth. He said the government views ethanol as a long-term pillar in India’s energy shift, reducing dependence on imported crude while giving farmers a steady additional market.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reinforced the message, noting that money once spent on crude oil imports is now flowing into rural pockets. He said farmers have become “Urjadaatas” in addition to being “Annadatas,” thanks to the expanding ethanol ecosystem.
Puri shared that from Ethanol Supply Year 2014-15 to ESY 2024-25 up to July 2025, blending carried out by public sector Oil Marketing Companies has saved more than ₹1,40,000 crore in foreign exchange. He said this demonstrates how ethanol-blended petrol is reshaping the industry and strengthening India’s energy security.
Both ministers underlined that the program combines cleaner fuel, farmer support, and national savings, positioning it as a key part of India’s growth strategy.
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