Gadkari pushes ethanol-powered vehicles, says India must reduce dependence on fossil fuels

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said India must reduce its dependence on petrol, diesel and gas, describing fossil fuels as the country’s “biggest pollution problem”, while pitching electric mobility and ethanol-powered vehicles as sustainable alternatives. 

Addressing the 19th Rozgar Mela event in Nagpur, Gadkari said the government has already introduced electric scooters, cars, buses, trucks, and tractors as part of its push towards cleaner transportation. 

“Our biggest pollution problem is fossil fuels — petrol and diesel. That is why we have introduced electric scooters, electric cars, electric buses, electric trucks and now even electric tractors in the country,” he said. 

The minister added that Indian farmers are increasingly becoming “energy providers and fuel providers” through biofuel production. 

Highlighting the benefits of ethanol-powered mobility, Gadkari said the vehicle he used to attend the event runs entirely on bioethanol. “The vehicle in which I arrived today runs 100% on bioethanol. Ethanol costs around ₹65 per litre and the vehicle also generates 60% electricity while running,” he said. 

Gadkari claimed that compared to conventional fuels, the effective running cost of such vehicles comes to nearly ₹25 per litre. He described ethanol as an “import substitute, cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous” fuel. He also said flex-fuel vehicles capable of running entirely on ethanol would soon be introduced on a large scale in India. 

On the upcoming Environment Day celebrations, Gadkari said Maruti Suzuki is expected to launch vehicles powered entirely by ethanol at an event in Delhi. 

According to the minister, major automobile manufacturers, including Toyota, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki have already introduced flex-fuel vehicles, with around 12 companies participating in the segment so far. 

“Our two-wheelers have also arrived. We should minimise the use of petrol, diesel and gas because 87% of these fuels are imported into our country. They not only cause pollution but also increase imports,” he said. 

The remarks came during the 19th edition of the Rozgar Mela, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited candidates for central government jobs across ministries including Railways, Home Affairs and Health. 

The event was held simultaneously at 47 locations across the country. Since the launch of the Rozgar Mela initiative in 2022, nearly 12 lakh appointment letters have been distributed through various editions of the programme aimed at accelerating public sector recruitment and promoting youth participation in nation-building.