Gadkari says Toyota flex-fuel Innova running on 100% ethanol will launch in October

Amid rising petrol costs, the debate over ethanol-powered vehicles has resurfaced. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has shared key details on bringing a car that runs on 100 per cent ethanol to India. According to him, the Toyota flex-fuel Innova will be launched in October, raising curiosity about the car in the Indian automobile market.

Speaking at an event in Delhi, Gadkari addressed the debate over the use of ethanol. He said petrol in India is currently blended with 20 per cent ethanol. According to him, ethanol-blended petrol has been in use for many years in more than 19 countries.

Gadkari said there are misconceptions about ethanol damaging vehicles. He said that increasing the use of ethanol in India could help reduce dependence on petrol, and could also raise the importance of ethanol production for the country's farmers.

The new Toyota flex-fuel Innova is being discussed most for its fuel cost. According to the information Gadkari gave, the car's fuel cost on ethanol could be about Rs 25 per litre. It is therefore hoped that running the vehicle could cost less than on petrol. However, the actual cost will depend on the price of ethanol, the car's mileage and the way it is driven.

Gadkari also mentioned another feature of this Innova, its ability to generate electricity. According to him, the vehicle can generate about 60 per cent of its power while running. This electricity could be used for the car's battery, air conditioning and other electrical systems. It is claimed that this will improve the vehicle's energy efficiency. However, the technical details of these claims and the car's actual performance will become clear only after it reaches the market.

Since the blending of ethanol in petrol increased in India, there has been a range of talk about its effect on vehicle engines. Gadkari rejected the claims that ethanol damages vehicles. According to him, no official complaint of vehicles being damaged because of ethanol has come up.

He also linked the use of ethanol in India to farmers and the country's energy needs. He said ethanol is made from farm produce, so farmers could benefit from it.

The Centre is promoting ethanol blending. Petrol is currently blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol. If vehicles running on 100 per cent ethanol reach the market, they could offer an option for reducing dependence on petrol. According to Gadkari, many automobile companies may work towards vehicles running on 100 per cent ethanol in future. The October launch of the Toyota flex-fuel Innova could thus be an important step for ethanol-based vehicles in India's auto sector.