India is moving beyond ethanol and targeting a 15% isobutanol blend in diesel. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the plan, saying ethanol cannot be blended directly with diesel so the government is converting ethanol into isobutanol instead. Two generator sets have already run on 100% ethanol and isobutanol, showing the technology works. The goal is to reduce crude oil imports and lower carbon emissions from the transport sector. The government says isobutanol has higher energy density than many biofuels and produces lower emissions. India already hit its E20 ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, saving over Rs 1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange. The next step is getting regulatory approval for the 15% isobutanol blend in diesel. If it scales, it could cut diesel imports further and create more demand for domestically produced biofuels.
