Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India has commenced the rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol this year and the country’s aim is to cover the entire nation by 2025.

The PM  further said that India is making great efforts in green growth and energy transition, moving slowly in its climate change commitments despite being the most populous nation in the world.

“We achieved our non-fossil, installed electric capacity target 9 years in advance. We have now set a higher target, we plan to achieve 50% non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. India is among the global leaders in solar and wind power,” Modi said while addressing the G-20 energy ministers’ meeting in Goa via video message.

“No talk about the future, sustainability, growth or development can be complete without energy… We must find ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security and work on diversifying supply chains. And we must strengthen collaboration on fuels for the future,” the PM added.

“We have also started the largest agricultural pump solarization initiative in the world. India’s domestic electric vehicle market is projected to reach 10 million annual sales by 2030… For decarbonizing India, we are working on a mission mode for green Hydrogen as an alternative,” Modi said.

Earlier this month, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the entire country will have special fuel stations retailing E20 petrol by 2025. E20 fuel is a blend of 20% ethanol with petrol.

The first E20 outlet was opened on February 8 this year – ahead of the targeted April launch – and as of now their number has crossed 600 and will cover the entire country by 2025, Puri had told the AGM of the industry lobby IMC Chamber through a video message.