New Delhi, May 20 -- The Indian government has paved the way for blending ethanol in petrol beyond the current proportion of 20%. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on 18 May notified norms for E22, E25, E27 and E30 fuel blends, which refer to petrol blended with 22%, 25%, 27% and 30% ethanol, respectively.

The move comes at a critical time for India for reasons, detailed below.

In its notification, BIS laid down specifications for fuel blends made by mixing motor gasoline with anhydrous ethanol, or ethanol which is completely free from moisture for use in "positive ignition engine-powered vehicles."

The move seems to be a positive step to address the energy security worries currently facing India as well as the biofuel's long-term i...