Ethanol or Erosion? India's Bold Biofuel Initiative Sparks Debate over Food Security and Vehicle Health

India’s ambitious initiative to blend 20% ethanol with petrol, reached ahead of schedule, has significantly impacted carbon emissions and fuel imports, saving the nation over $15 billion. This move is celebrated for cutting 69.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide since 2014, but it raises critical concerns among vehicle owners and food experts.

While proponents like Sandeep Theng from the Indian Federation of Green Energy support the shift to ethanol-blended petrol to reduce emissions, many car owners remain skeptical due to potential issues with fuel efficiency. Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India, points out that ethanol’s lower energy density can impact mileage and increase wear on vehicle parts, leading to concerns about compatibility for older models. Insurance policies may not cover injuries from non-compliant fuel either, which further complicates the situation.

Despite the government’s dismissal of these worries as “largely unfounded”, many consumers like Amit Pandhi express frustration over being forced into a potentially detrimental fuel choice.

The issue expands beyond individual consumers, as expanding ethanol production necessitates diverting agricultural resources, primarily sugarcane and maize, from food supply to fuel manufacturing. With estimates scaling up to needing 20 billion litres of ethanol by 2050, significant concerns loom about food security, particularly in a country where 250 million people go hungry. Experts predict that the reliance on these crops will strain both the agricultural system and food supply, with reports indicating an unprecedented allocation of 5.2 million tonnes of rice for ethanol production.

Devinder Sharma, a farming expert, warns of an impending agricultural disaster, stressing the moral dilemma of using food crops to fuel vehicles. There’s a potential risk that shifting agricultural focus from staple crops will create other shortages. While the E20 blend has been introduced, the government discusses future phases towards E25, E27, and E30, sparking further debate on the sustainability of such actions.

As India balances carbon reduction with food security, the implications of its biofuel strategy remain contentious.