New Delhi, June 11 -- The government has extended central excise duty exemptions to petrol blended with higher ethanol content at 22 percent, 25 percent, 27 percent and 30 percent, marking a policy step towards expanding ethanol blending beyond the existing E20 programme.

Excise Exemptions Extended To Higher Ethanol Blends

The Department of Revenue, through a set of notifications issued recently, amended multiple excise provisions to allow nil excise duty on ethanol-blended petrol conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification IS 19850.

The exemption applies to E22, E25, E27 and E30 fuel blends, provided they meet prescribed quality standards. These blends correspond to petrol mixed with 22 percent to 30 percent ethanol b...