Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) (Science & Technology)
Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) (Science & Technology)
Why In News:
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the benefits of Flex Fuel (E20–E85) motorcycles launched in India.
What is a Flex Fuel Vehicle?
FFV is a vehicle whose internal combustion engine can run on any blend of petrol and ethanol — from pure petrol (E0) to high ethanol blends like E85 (85% ethanol, 15% petrol).
Compared to standard vehicles, FFVs require modified fuel injectors, sensors, and engine calibration to handle varying ethanol concentrations.
India's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP):
National Biofuel Policy, 2018: Provides the framework for ethanol blending, biodiesel, and second-generation biofuels.
India achieved E20 (20% ethanol in petrol) blending — originally targeted for 2025. This is a major milestone.
Ethanol is primarily sourced from sugarcane (molasses and juice) and increasingly from damaged food grains (maize, rice).
Benefits: Reduces petroleum import bill; higher income for sugarcane/maize farmers; lower CO₂ and particulate emissions; energy security.
Key Facts for Prelims:
E10: 10% ethanol blend. E20: 20% blend (achievable by all BS-VI vehicles). E85: Requires dedicated FFV engine.
India is the 3rd largest ethanol producer in the world after USA and Brazil.
SATAT Scheme: Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation — focuses on Compressed Biogas (CBG) from agricultural waste.