Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Policies and interventions and GS III – Conservation
In news: Government may issue guidelines for flex fuel vehicles by October.
What is Flex fuel vehicle?
An FFV is a modified version of vehicles that could run both on gasoline and blended petrol with different levels of Ethanol blends.
These are currently being used successfully in Brazil giving people the option to switch fuel.
Such flexible fuel vehicles provide opportunity for increased use of biofuels for running vehicles.
Earlier, Ministry of road transport and Highways had issued a Draft notification for mass emission standards for E 12 (Blend of 12% ethanol in gasoline) and E 15 fuels, thereby facilitating their use as Automotive fuels
What are the advantages of FFV?
Reduced dependence on petrol/diesel & thus reduced dependence on oil imports.
Environment friendly because of less pollution.
Aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
Help in addressing the problems of surplus food grains (can be used in making Ethanol)
Provides employment opportunities for setting up bio-ethanol plants across India.
Challenges
Require additional investment from auto companies in production lines and Technology transfers.
Ethanol can also cause corrosion and damage to the engine.
Ethanol is also not as economical as gasoline as it does not provide the same level of fuel efficiency.
Diversion of food crops (like sugarcane) to ethanol production.
