India’s mission for 100% Self Dependent Energy was today flagged off by Hardeep Singh Puri by launching EPS 85 in a retail outlet of IOCL, New Delhi. Sitting on the dais flanked by Secretary MoP&NG and Chairman Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.; in presence of Chairmen of BPCL & HPCL and Oil and related Industry representatives a powerful statement was made to the entire world. Chairman IOCL while welcoming the Minister, Secretary, other dignitaries, media and all present stated that the Flex Fuel Eco System would ensure less dependence on imported fuels. for the that India was at the threshold of Energy Independence.
The Secretary, MoP&NG stated that while discussing Energy Security people used to talk about Refineries, Pipelines etc. while today the Energy security is to come from Crops. People asked how many KMs does a car give, today we need to ask which Crop drives the vehicle. These new fuels would solve many problems, make the environment pollution free, give employment, and give the consumer a choice. A new Chapter of energy independence is being written. From the Anna Daata the farmer has become Urja Daata. The Minster MoP&NG then went on to unveil electronically a Plaque signalling the formal launch of E85.
Hardeep Singh Puri then through his address to all speech went on to inform about the exciting news about the Future fuel – E85. He said – I am delighted to be here and its not a proforma statement but brings the Greetings on the World Environment Day. The movement from Traditional to Green Fuel has been the record of PM’s effort in the last 12 Years. Despite the turbulence thanks to Companies like IOCL, BPCL & HPCL there had been no Dry outs. Since Aatmanirbhar fuel has been the call of the day, E85 is being introduced while E20 Fuels will continue to be available.
E85 will reduce pollution further and it’s the inner conviction of users which will make for move from Fossil Fuels to Green Fuels. Despite Feb ’26 Hormuz Crisis the consumers in India have been protected from volatility to the maximum extent possible. He went on to compare the increase in prices of fuels in other/ neighbouring countries vis a vis India. LPG Supply was also ensured though some elements have tried for disruptions. PNG Pipelines is going ahead steadily and Ethanol blending is improving.
By the end of 2026 there will be 500 dispensing stations for E85 and by end of 2027 it will rise to 5000. He went on to say that even if one out of two cars become E85 compliant some 318 Litres of Ethanol will be used. He commented that the old debate of food security to fuel security was a false narrative. In India the Urja Daata is also the Anna Daata. A sum of Rs 1.85 Lakh Crore of foreign exchange was saved by Ethanol blending. India’s Energy Demand is growing at 3 times the rate of International growth. Ethanol is an efficient fuel with High Calorific Value. He went on to say that the most important point is that the Pricing will more adequately compensate the consumer.
The Programme ended with the Minister, before the media, formally filling up a Car by pouring E85 Fuel in its tank.
