HPCL forays to usher in a greener and more sustainable future

HPCL Undertakes Successful Pilot Study on E27 Fuel and Ethanol Blended Diesel Fuel Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025, gets a boost.

Using E27 fuel and ethanol-blend diesel fuel, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has successfully undertaken a ground-breaking pilot research. In accordance with the “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025,” which intends to encourage the adoption of ethanol blending in petrol, HPCL has become the first Oil Marketing Company in India to launch such a thorough study programme under the auspices of MoP&NG.

 The roadmap proposes a phased deployment plan for achieving 20 percent ethanol blended petrol (E20) by April 2023 and assuring its widespread availability by April 2025. It is intended to usher in a greener and more sustainable future. The introduction of E20 material-compliant and E10 engine-tuned vehicles beginning in April 2023 is further emphasised, with the manufacture of E20 engine-tuned vehicles beginning in April 2025.

Dedicated efforts are underway at HPCL state-of-the-art R&D Centre in Devanagunthi, Bengaluru for conducting comprehensive research on biofuels. The centre’s proficient team is evaluating the effects and performance of different blends of ethanol-gasoline, ranging from 10 percent to 27 percent, as well as various blends of ethanol-diesel, on different categories of test vehicles at the Engine Research laboratory.

Vehicles fuelled with E27 have demonstrated impressive reductions in pollutants including CO and THC when compared to conventional petrol, according to preliminary research. HPCL will be investigating ethanol-diesel experiments on passenger automobiles as part of the pilot launch, with an initial goal mileage accumulation of 20,000 km.

The pilot study of E27 fuel will focus on assessing its performance and emissions in engines and vehicles through extended mileage accumulation. Mileage accumulation of up to 10,000 km for two-wheelers and 20,000 km for passenger cars using E27 fuel is planned for this phase. Ethanol trials, in accordance with IS 1460:2017 fuel specifications, will also be conducted in conjunction with biodiesel-diesel. In terms of the ethanol blending programme, India will soon reach the milestone of 27 percent ethanol blending in fuels other than E20. India will proudly stand side by side with Brazil on the global platform in the Ethanol blending programme after the completion of the ongoing trials and the development of E27 fuel. In 23 retail outlets (ROs) around the nation, HPCL successfully introduced E20 fuel on February 6th, 2023. A total of 350 E20 ROs are now active, located in 21 different states. In terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the company has already cut about 3000 MT of them. More than 200 lakh MT of GHG emissions are expected to be reduced by 2025 as a result of the use of E20 fuel.