Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, on Tuesday unveiled the world’s first car that meets the Bharat Stage (BS)-VI standards and is powered by a combination of electricity and ethanol. This remarkable vehicle has been developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

This innovative car, built on the Toyota Innova Cross platform, utilizes 100% ethanol (E100) as its fuel source. What’s particularly impressive is its unique hybrid capability: it can operate using 40% ethanol and 60% electric power, all while completely shutting off the petrol engine.

Minister Gadkari made a noteworthy statement during the launch event, emphasizing that the surge in demand for ethanol, which is blended with petrol and diesel, will have transformative effects on India’s agricultural sector. He envisaged a future where farmers become “urja daata,” meaning energy providers, as a result of this shift.

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Toyota has previously introduced flex-fuel vehicles in other parts of the world, and they released a flex-fuel version of their Corolla model last year. However, this specific flex-fuel vehicle adheres to India’s stringent BS-VI emission standards, marking a significant milestone for the company.

The minister highlighted an interesting contrast in India’s economic landscape. Despite the fact that a substantial 65% of the population relies on agriculture, this sector contributes only 12% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This underlines the potential for the ethanol industry to revitalize the agricultural economy.

Nitin Gadkari envisions a future where farmers will not only be recognized as “anna daata” or food providers but also as “urja daata,” signifying their role in providing energy resources. He is confident that as the demand for ethanol rises, the agricultural sector’s share in the GDP will also experience growth.

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