Discover how India flexes its muscles in the biofuel arena, taking inspiration from Brazil’s green success story!
Not long ago, a survey was conducted which revealed a concerning reality – 39 out of the 50 most polluted cities in the world are in India.
This extensive study covered 131 countries and utilised over 30,000 ground-based monitors to assess air quality. The report’s standout finding is that India’s battle with air pollution costs a staggering $150 billion. The transportation sector contributes 20% to 35% of the problematic PM 2.5 pollutants, according to NDTV.
What does this data tell us? Well, it highlights a troubling trend. As India’s population grows and its crude oil imports and consumption increase, pollution levels steadily rise.
Recognising the urgency of this situation, the government took action. During the recent G20 Summit, India joined forces with the US and Brazil in a significant step toward adopting biofuels.
Let’s explore more about it.
What’s Happening?
India, the United States, and Brazil have joined hands to establish the Global Biofuel Alliance during the G20 Summit. This marks a significant stride in India’s commitment to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, which can harm the environment, and to promote cleaner energy solutions.
The primary objective of this alliance is to collaborate and promote the use of environmentally friendly biofuels, especially in the transportation sector. These three nations, Brazil, India, and the United States, have shown expertise in both producing and using biofuels, and they are taking the lead in forming the Global Biofuel Alliance.
But What is Biofuel?
Biofuels are a type of renewable energy source made from organic materials like crops, agricultural leftovers, or even algae. They serve as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Biofuels are seen as a greener option because they generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to reducing our dependence on finite fossil fuel reserves. It’s worth noting that ethanol, a common biofuel, is also produced from organic sources.
What might come as a surprise is that India is taking a page from Brazil’s book in this regard. Let’s delve into the backstory to understand this connection better.
India Following Brazil’s Footsteps
Brazil has set an impressive example in reducing its dependence on imported crude oil by embracing biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles. They introduced ‘energy cane’, a variety that produces a remarkable 350 tonnes per hectare, compared to traditional sugarcane’s 80 tonnes, as reported by The Hindu. This clever approach allowed Brazil to increase ethanol production without compromising sugar output, resulting in substantial savings.
Brazil’s mandate of blending 27% ethanol with gasoline led to remarkable savings. In 2019 alone, it saved an astonishing 0.5 million barrels of gasoline per day and reduced import costs by a hefty $13 billion. Additionally, the leftover cane waste, known as Bagasse, found value in power generation and other commercial applications, establishing energy cane as a sustainability champion, as per The Hindu.
Furthermore, introducing the ‘flex engine’ in Brazil’s ethanol industry provided a significant boost. This technology allows vehicles to run on 100% ethanol, petrol, or any blend of the two. With nearly two decades of experience in flex-fuel automobiles, a remarkable 93% of cars in Brazil today are equipped with flex-fuel engines. Even imported cars can be adapted to run on a 27% ethanol blend with minor engine adjustments, costing as low as $50.
This successful ethanol program not only saved Brazil $261 billion in foreign exchange but also reduced CO2 emissions by over 1.34 billion tons, resulting in a 50% reduction in air pollution.
India appears determined to follow in Brazil’s footsteps to achieve similar milestones. The focus on manufacturing vehicles that run on flex fuel is evident, with examples like the Toyota Innova HyCross, a flex-fuel ethanol-powered car launched in India by Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari. This is a significant step towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
How Will It Impact India’s Ethanol Producing Companies and Car Manufacturing Companies?
India’s partnership with the United States and Brazil in the Global Biofuel Alliance is expected to have several significant impacts:
1. Boost for Ethanol Production
Indian companies in the ethanol production sector are likely to experience increased demand for their products. As the government encourages the use of ethanol-blended fuels, this could lead to a growth in ethanol production, benefiting the industry.
2. Expansion of Flex Fuel Vehicle Market
To meet the rising demand for flex-fuel vehicles, Indian car manufacturers may introduce more models capable of running on ethanol-gasoline blends. This expansion of the flex fuel vehicle market could create opportunities for domestic car makers and stimulate innovation in engine technology. Notably, major car manufacturers in India, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota, Honda, and Mahindra and Mahindra, have already announced plans to transition to ethanol-blended fuels, as reported by Business Standard.
3. Reduced Crude Oil Imports
India’s efforts to reduce crude oil imports by promoting biofuels could enhance its energy security and decrease its trade deficit. However, it is important to note that this transition will take time to fully materialise and make a substantial impact.
That’s it for today. We hope you’ve found this article informative. Remember to spread the word among your friends. Until we meet again, stay curious!
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