India is preparing for the next phase of its biofuel transition with plans to introduce up to 15% isobutanol blending in diesel, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, outlining a roadmap aimed at reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Speaking about the government's alternative fuel strategy, Gadkari said ethanol cannot be blended directly with diesel, leading to efforts to develop isobutanol from ethanol as a viable substitute.
"Ethanol can't be blended directly with diesel, so we're producing isobutanol from ethanol," Gadkari said. "Isobutanol can serve as an alternative to diesel."
The minister said the government is working towards allowing a 15% blend of isobutanol in diesel, describing it as a key step in India's push for energy self-reliance and cleaner transportation fuels.
Highlighting progress in the technology, Gadkari said pilot demonstrations have already shown encouraging results.
"We've successfully run two generator sets on 100% ethanol and isobutanol. This proves engines can be built to operate on these fuels," he said.
Isobutanol is considered a promising next-generation biofuel because of its higher energy density, improved engine compatibility and lower emissions compared with several conventional biofuels. Officials believe its adoption could further reduce India's crude oil imports while creating additional demand for domestically produced biofuels.
The announcement comes days after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas defended the government's E20 ethanol blending programme against what it termed misinformation circulating on social media.
In a detailed clarification, the ministry rejected claims that ethanol production excessively depletes water resources, damages vehicle engines, invalidates insurance or warranties, or harms the environment. It said the programme is backed by scientific studies, regulatory safeguards and global experience with ethanol-blended fuels.
The ministry also highlighted that India achieved its target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol in December 2025, ahead of schedule.
According to official data, the programme has helped save more than ₹1.9 lakh crore in foreign exchange, reduced crude oil imports and lowered carbon emissions while increasing income opportunities for farmers.