New Delhi
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday pitched for alternative fuels such as ethanol and methanol along with electric vehicles, reiterating that the government’s policy is to reduce import, enhance exports and curb pollution.

The minister, who had last year threatened to “bulldoze” the auto industry to adopt e-vehicles, struck a conciliatory note and said the government was not against petrol and diesel fuels.

“Our policy is clear. We want to reduce imports, increase exports and finish pollution,” he said at the annual convention of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India here.
Stating that India is facing two major issues pollution and rising imports of fuels Gadkari said, “Import bill is increasing due to the rise in automobile sector. This is the biggest challenge to our economy and for that we have come out with a programme.” He said a policy for import substitution would be prepared.

“Alternative fuels is necessary for us,” he said, adding there was a huge potential that can be tapped from bio-products such as molasses, cotton straw, biomass and corn to produce ethanol which can be used as automotive fuel. Gadkari, however, added that “alternative fuels cannot progress without your support”.