The petroleum sector has encouraged industry stakeholders to explore ethanol as an alternative clean cooking fuel for households, aiming to reduce dependence on imported LPG and strengthen the biofuel ecosystem in India.
This proposal was highlighted during an industry conference, where it was noted that research is actively underway to develop efficient ethanol-compatible cooking stoves. Several institutions and technical bodies are currently working on designing these stoves, with prototypes expected to be ready in the near future.
Industry leaders have called on the distillery sector to play a key role in advancing this initiative. This includes collaborating with manufacturers to scale up production of ethanol-based stoves and helping build a reliable supply chain that can deliver ethanol directly to households.
The shift from bulk industrial ethanol supply to household usage presents new challenges, particularly in terms of logistics, packaging formats, and last-mile delivery systems. Stakeholders have been urged to contribute ideas and solutions to make ethanol a viable cooking fuel option across the country.
This development comes as India has already achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol. The distillery industry has been credited for supporting this milestone. Additionally, a recent government mandate requires the sale of E20 petrol with a minimum Research Octane Number of 95 starting April 1, 2026. This move is expected to enhance vehicle performance and address concerns related to lower-octane fuel blends.
Beyond petrol blending, the industry has also been encouraged to accelerate the production of alternative biofuels such as isobutanol for diesel blending and explore ethanol-based pathways for sustainable aviation fuel. However, the focus remains strongly on developing ethanol as a household cooking fuel.
Experts believe ethanol stoves could serve as a cleaner alternative or supplement to LPG, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Expanding ethanol usage in this segment could diversify energy demand, reduce crude oil imports, conserve foreign exchange, and support the agricultural sector.
Overall, coordinated efforts between the oil industry, distilleries, and manufacturing partners will be essential to make ethanol-based cooking a practical and scalable solution in India.
