Methanol (M-15) blended with petrol and used in the existing BS-IV standard cars reduces carbon dioxide emission, a study conducted by Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has shown.

The finding has been submitted to Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari, who said that the Ministry was keen to support further research on methanol blending as the government aims to increase fuel blending to 20 per cent by 2030.

Emission evaluation

Gadkari said the Centre would help all research efforts on methanol blending. He was speaking at a symposium organised by the International Automotive Technology (SIAT). According to the ARAI, the study evaluated emissions in real-world conditions and used 15 per cent M-15 blend in vehicles and tested them for 3,000 km.

“India imports ₹7 lakh crore worth of crude oil every year. Using alternative fuels, we can divert ₹2 lakh crore for farmers to boost agriculture. We have to focus on indigenous pollution-free technology to substitute imports and save money. The government has commissioned 35 Scania buses in Nagpur which are running on 100 per cent bio-ethanol. Ten buses each will be given to Pune, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Guwahati,” Gadkari said.

NITI Aayog has drawn up a comprehensive plan to replace 20 per cent of crude imports from methanol alone.

Fuel replacement plan

Adopting methanol in this scale would bring down pollution in the country by more than 40 per cent. By adopting methanol, India can have its own indigenous fuel at the cost of approximately ₹19 per litre, at least 30 per cent cheaper than any available fuel.

According to NITI Aayog, at least 20 per cent diesel consumption can be reduced in the next 5-7 years and will result in a savings of ₹26,000 crore annually. Also, ₹6,000 crore can be saved annually from reduced bill in LPG in the next three years itself. Methanol blending with petrol will further reduce the fuel bill by at least ₹5,000 crore annually in the next three years.