India’s petroleum sector is exploring ethanol as a clean alternative for household cooking, aiming to reduce reliance on imported LPG and deepen the country’s
biofuel ecosystem. Speaking at an industry event, R S Ravi of the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry said significant progress is being made on ethanol-based cooking solutions. Research institutions, including IITs and the LPG Equipment Research Centre, are currently developing efficient ethanol-compatible stoves, with prototypes expected soon. Ravi urged the distillery sector, represented by the All India Distillers’ Association, to play a more active role in scaling the initiative—both by partnering with manufacturers to mass-produce stoves and by helping build a robust supply chain to deliver ethanol directly to households. “This is a different ballgame,” Ravi noted, highlighting the need to move beyond bulk industrial supply toward a consumer-focused distribution model. He stressed that logistics, packaging formats, and last-mile delivery systems will be critical to making ethanol a viable cooking fuel. The proposal comes as India accelerates its ethanol blending programme, having already rolled out 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20). Ravi credited the distillery industry for supporting this transition and pointed to new regulations mandating E20 fuel with a minimum octane rating from April 2026. Beyond transport fuels, the government and industry are also exploring ethanol’s role in diesel blending and sustainable aviation fuel. However, Ravi emphasised that household cooking presents an immediate opportunity to expand ethanol’s use. If successfully implemented, ethanol-based cooking could complement or partially replace LPG, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas—helping reduce import bills, cut emissions, and strengthen India’s energy security. The initiative underscores a broader shift toward diversifying energy sources, with closer collaboration between oil companies and distillers seen as key to making ethanol a mainstream cooking fuel in India.
