The depletion of natural resources and the consequent pollution and global warming due to fuel usage has kept us perturbed for decades together. And the only solution lies in introducing renewable and eco-friendly resources like biofuels, for running automobiles and machinery.
In his keynote address, Gadkari lifted the veil over the progress of much-talked flexi engines, which he explained are electric hybrid engines and will run on 100% ethanol, 40% on electricity and even entirely on petrol in an emergency. He said that the major automobile companies are already developing the flexi engines, but it would take 6 months due to the compliance to Euro VI engines.
Bioethanol production is not a new endeavour for India though. However, Gadkari equates bioethanol production with the diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector, empowerment of farmers and rapid employment in rural India. The current production of 400 crore litres of bioethanol is set to increase to 4,000 litres after the development of flexi engines. Gadkari sees bioethanol prepared from molasses, sugarcane juice, rice and corn as a way cheaper and more sustainable substitute.
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