2019 – Posted in: Daily News

INDIA’S FIRST ETHANOL BASED BIKE

For: Preliminary & Mains

Topics covered: Ethanol based bike, what is ethanol- benefits, advantages, how it is produced?

TVS launched the country’s first ethanol-powered motorcycle to help bring down crude imports and reduce air pollution.

The special edition of TVS Apache RTR 200 Fi E100 will be available in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh.
The two-wheeler industry is looking at green and sustainable future mobility solutions spanning across electric, hybrid and alternative fuels.

Ethanol is domestically produced from renewable plant sources such as sugarcane molasses and sorghum.
It is non-toxic, biodegradable, as well as safe to handle, store and transport.
India is set to log its highest-ever 7.2 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol by November this year.
Currently, there are no ethanol fuelling stations in the country.
Ethanol is an oxygenated fuel that contains 35% oxygen.
Ethanol reduces nitrogen oxide emissions from combustion.
It also helps reduce carbon monoxide emissions, particulate matter and sulphur-di-oxide.
Ethanol has a lower calorific value compared to petrol, about 1.3 litres of ethanol worth Rs 68 needs to be burnt to get the same mileage as that of petrol.

India is one of the world’s second-largest sugarcane producers after Brazil.
Ethanol can be produced from waste from sugar factories.
Ethanol is domestically produced and its increased use will reduce dependence on import of petroleum.
Currently, ethanol is not available for use commercially.
The government is pushing to make ethanol available, particularly in the sugarcane belts where it can be sold commercially and will benefit farmers as well.

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