India plans isobutanol diesel blending to cut emissions, Tata Motors to run pilot trials

India is expanding its biofuel program beyond petrol to diesel, with plans to blend isobutanol into diesel fuel. Tata Motors, the country's largest commercial vehicle maker, will start pilot trials next quarter using a 2% isobutanol blend in partnership with Hindustan Petroleum. The goal is to lower carbon emissions from the transport sector and reduce reliance on imported crude oil. The government sees this as a significant step for commercial vehicles, where diesel remains dominant for long-haul trucks despite the rise of electric mobility. Isobutanol has been tested as a transport fuel in the United States, but India's move could create the first large-scale mandatory blending program for diesel. Tata Motors expects the initial 2% blend to have minimal impact on vehicle performance.