Auto firms will begin manufacturing flex-fuel vehicles within 6 months: Nitin Gadkari

Most vehicles in India to run on 100 percent ethanol soon, the minister said. Last year, the government had issued an advisory to carmakers to introduce flexible-fuel engines in vehicles.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said top officials of automobile companies have promised him that they will start manufacturing vehicles of flex-fuel variants within six months.

Addressing a summit virtually, Gadkari further said the government is working on a plan to shift public transport to 100 per cent clean energy sources.

“This week, I had a meeting with managing directors of all big automobile companies and SIAM representatives. And they promised me that they will start manufacturing flex-fuel engines for vehicles that can run on more than one fuel,” he said.

Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel with a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol.

The road transport and highways minister said companies like TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto have already started producing flex-fuel engines for their two and three-wheelers. He said now farmers are making bio-ethanol from rice, corn, and sugarcane juice.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/automobile/govt-finalises-over-70-firms-for-auto-components-under-pli-scheme-8208501.html