India's E100 push could cost automakers up to 50,000cr
India's new E100 ethanol push could bring in up to 500 billion rupees from the auto industry, mostly for developing flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and upgrading supply chains.
A huge chunk of this money will go into engineering, product development, and making sure vehicles can handle pure ethanol.
FFVs seen limited uptake by 2030
Even with all this investment, experts think FFVs will only grab a tiny share of the market by 2030.
Making cars truly E100-ready means costly changes like corrosion-proof materials and revamped fuel systems, which could bump up prices by 35,000 to 45,000 rupees per vehicle.
Ethanol helps cut oil imports and boosts energy security, but it's seen as a backup to electrification rather than a replacement.
The government plans thousands more E85 stations by 2027, but steady demand for these cars is still tricky as automakers juggle ethanol projects alongside electric vehicle goals.