Beyond E20 Ethanol: PM Advisor Puts Flex-Fuel Vehicles in Focus

India’s ethanol blending push is shifting focus from E20 petrol to flex-fuel vehicles, according to PMO advisor Tarun Kapoor, who said the government now wants blending levels higher than 20% achieved specifically through FFV-compatible cars. It matters for buyers because any move beyond E20 would require vehicles built to run on higher ethanol ratios, not just a fuel-pump change, meaning future car purchases could increasingly hinge on flex-fuel compatibility. Kapoor’s comments came at the India Sugar and Bio Energy Conference on September 9, where he also flagged that ethanol production has now overtaken what’s needed for current blending targets.