Flex-Fuel Vehicles and Alternative Fuels in India

Flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, are cars that can use different types of fuel, like ethanol or methanol, along with gasoline. They’re made with special parts to handle these fuels, offering drivers more choices. In India, a collaboration between IIT Delhi, Indian Oil Corporation, and Ashok Leyland created the DOST, a diesel vehicle that can also run on a mix of diesel and dimethyl ether (DME). This helps reduce pollution and dependence on traditional fuels.

The Rise of Flex-Fuel Vehicles and Alternative Fuels in India

Fuel Compatibility of Flex-Fuel Vehicles

• Versatility in Fuel Types: FFVs are specially designed vehicles capable of operating on different fuel types. 
  • They can run on various blends of gasoline and biofuels like ethanol or methanol, and in some cases, even entirely on these biofuels.
• Ethanol Blends: FFVs are capable of using E85, a blend containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, as well as other ethanol blends like E15. 
  • This flexibility allows drivers to choose between biofuel blends and traditional gasoline based on availability and preference.
• Methanol Blends: Some FFVs are also designed to operate on M85, which consists of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline, along with other methanol blends.
• Gasoline Use: These vehicles can seamlessly switch to running on 100% gasoline, offering versatility in fuel choice, especially in areas where biofuel blends are not readily available.

Technological Features

Advanced Fuel Systems: FFVs are equipped with sophisticated fuel injection and engine management systems that can detect the type of fuel blend being used and adjust the fuel injection and combustion processes accordingly.

• Durable Materials: The use of corrosion-resistant materials and components in FFVs ensures longevity and reliability, even with high biofuel blend usage.
• Modification: FFVs are vehicles adapted to operate on gasoline or any blend of gasoline and ethanol (up to 83%).
• Engine and Powertrain: FFVs feature conventional internal combustion engines with an ethanol-compatible fuel system and different powertrain calibration.
• Performance: Operating on higher ethanol blends improves acceleration performance of FFVs.
• Engine Design: The engines in FFVs are similar to those in conventional vehicles but are equipped with modified components that can handle different fuel blends, including high ethanol or methanol content.
• FFV Technology can run on either 100% diesel or DME-Diesel mode.

Development of Flex-Fuel Vehicle Technology in India

Collaboration: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Research and Development Wing, and Ashok Leyland Ltd. joined forces to develop flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) technology.

• Objective: The technology enables diesel-powered vehicles to run on either 100% diesel or a blend of dimethyl ether (DME) and diesel.
• Launch: The flex-fuel technology-based vehicle, named DOST, was jointly launched in April 2022, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Advantages of Dimethyl Ether (DME) as an Alternative Fuel

Ignitability: DME possesses a higher cetane number (~58) compared to conventional diesel (51), indicating superior ignitability.

• Production Sources: DME can be produced from biomass, coal, industrial wastes, municipal solid wastes, and black liquor through gasification and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, or via catalytic dehydration of methanol.
• Physical Properties: DME is stored as a liquid, and it easily transitions from liquid to vapor/gas at ambient temperature and pressure.

Government Initiatives and Environmental Concerns

Emissions: The transport sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

• Policy Measures: The government promotes alternate fuels and FFVs to reduce pollution levels, dependency on conventional fuels, and import of petroleum.
• COP26 Commitment: India aims to reduce total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030, aligning with its commitment at COP26
• Mass Emission standards: have been established to introduce a variety of alternate fuels, including ethanol-gasoline blends (E-10, E-12, E-15, E-20), flex-fuel (E 85 or E 100), and Ethanol blend for diesel vehicles (ED 95), among others.
  • Mandates for mass emission standards for BS-VI have been implemented nationwide since April 1, 2020.
• The Union Cabinet has approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme worth 259.38 billion for the Automobile and Auto Component Industry.

Conclusion

Flex-fuel vehicles, such as the DOST, are a big step towards cleaner transportation.
By running on alternative fuels like DME or ethanol blends, they cut down on pollution and lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. 

• With support from the government and advancements in technology, India is working towards a greener future, aligned with its commitment to reduce carbon emissions made at COP26.

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