E20 petrol (20% ethanol blended in petrol) has been introduced, and car owners across India have expressed concerns. Many are reporting issues like reduced mileage and damage to engine components, leading to widespread criticism of the government’s move. Now, a new debate has begun on diesel vehicles.
Recently, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had said during an event that in future, isobutanol could be blended with diesel in India. According to an article in Auto Car Professional, the minister even mentioned that up to 10% isobutanol is being considered for blending in diesel. However, this is not an immediate move. Currently, it is still in the research and testing phase, and if the tests are successful, the proposal will go to the cabinet for approval. Initially, the tests will be done on construction equipment and agricultural vehicles.
Now, even though no target year or deadline has been set for isobutanol blending, it is important to discuss the topic for two main reasons. And it is also important to know .
- The government is moving quickly with alcohol-based fuel blends, similar to ethanol in petrol. The E20 target was achieved five years early, leaving many vehicle owners unprepared.
- Unlike traditional biofuels, isobutanol blends have shown some problems in laboratory tests, which could make them dangerous for existing diesel engines.
India’s Diesel Blending Targets
India has set a target of blending 5% biodiesel in diesel by 2030. This refers to the conventional FAME-based biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters), which is commonly used in many countries and has proven results. However, in India, the availability of biodiesel at fuel pumps is currently only around 5-6%, which is far behind the 2030 target.
FAME biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or used cooking oil. It also has several advantages, such as:
Benefits of FAME Biodiesel
- High cetane number (has better ignition quality than diesel).
- 60-90% less carbon emissions compared to diesel.
- Almost no sulfur content.
- Provides better lubrication, reducing engine wear.
Drawbacks of FAME
- Freezes quickly in cold temperatures, making it difficult to start vehicles.
- May cause some damage to rubber, seals and plastic components.
Despite these minor issues, FAME biodiesel is widely used worldwide. Countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the US and European countries have successfully adopted biodiesel blends. For example, Brazil is moving towards a 15% biodiesel blend, while Indonesia has achieved a 35% blend using palm oil.
However, in India, biodiesel blends remain below 1%, mainly because.
- We import 60% of our edible oil, so its use for biodiesel can affect food security.
- Of the 8-9 million metric tons of used cooking oil produced every year, only a small portion can be collected due to poor collection systems and its heavy use by street food vendors.
Why use isobutanol instead of biodiesel?
As India struggles to produce enough biodiesel, the government is looking at isobutanol blends as an alternative. Like ethanol, isobutanol is an alcohol-based fuel that can be easily made from sugarcane, corn and other sources. However, initial laboratory tests have revealed several challenges.
- Low cetane number (12 versus 50 in diesel): Causes delayed ignition, rough combustion, knocking and low efficiency.
- Lower energy density than diesel: Reduces engine power and fuel efficiency.
This means that isobutanol blends can cause problems, especially in older diesel engines. While future solutions may address these issues, it is still uncertain whether isobutanol diesel will be successful.
What Should Happen Next?
If isobutanol blending is allowed, the government should take care of the following.
- Thorough testing should be ensured before a large-scale rollout.
- Vehicle manufacturers should be informed in advance so that engines can be designed to handle the blended fuel.
- Unlike the sudden rollout of E20 petrol, a realistic timeline should be set.
- If the blending reduces production costs (an unfulfilled promise with ethanol petrol), then fuel prices should be reduced.
Since diesel powers most trucks, buses and agricultural vehicles in India, any fuel changes will have a nationwide impact. Therefore, the government should proceed with caution and prioritize long-term engine safety, fuel efficiency and consumer confidence before moving forward with isobutanol blending.
While biodiesel blends are already proven and safe, isobutanol blends are still experimental. They could be the future, but only if the testing addresses the current challenges. Until then, vehicle owners and manufacturers should stay updated and prepare for potential changes in India’s diesel fuel policy.
