Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Announces Upcoming Launch of 100% Ethanol and Flex Engine Cars in India
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced today that 100% ethanol or flex engine cars will soon be seen on Indian roads. Toyota is set to invest Rs 20,000 crore in Maharashtra for their mass production.
Nitin Gadkari – Union Road & Highways Minister
Gadkari arrived at Parliament in a Toyota vehicle equipped with a flex engine. He stated, “This is the world’s first vehicle with a flex engine that complies with Euro 6 emission norms and produces net zero emissions. It runs on ethanol derived from sugarcane juice, molasses, and corn.”
Toyota plans to establish a plant in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, for the mass production of these vehicles. Additionally, Tatas, Suzuki, Bajaj, TVS, and Hero are also working on producing ethanol or flex-engine vehicles.
Gadkari mentioned that he is overseeing an import of Rs 16 lakh crores, enabling manufacturers to develop flex or ethanol engines. He added that farmers will now have ethanol pumps instead of diesel ones.
“Such vehicles will reduce pollution, save costs, and benefit farmers… This vehicle works on 100% ethanol,” Gadkari said.
Last August, Nitin Gadkari unveiled a 100% ethanol-powered car prototype by Toyota Kirloskar Motors. The car could cover 40% of its distance on ethanol and 60% on electric power, with the petrol engine shut off.
Social Media Reaction:
Despite the positive announcement, Gadkari, one of the popular leaders of the ruling government, is facing criticism online. The water-logged roads caused by heavy rainfall this year have led people to express their dissatisfaction.
One user wrote, “We also need an India 6 standard vehicle that can sense potholes and fly over them, detect broken bridges and fly over them, avoid unruly drivers, and fly over city traffic. Nope, flying cars are at least 25 years away.”
Another user commented, “Ethanol-based cars should be able to detect potholes, broken bridges, and large road depressions and fly over them.”
A third user replied, “Yeah, it’s happening… I knew it… electric is obsolete.”