NB Explains | Nitin Gadkari to unveil world's first 100% ethanol-fueled Toyota Innova car

New Delhi, Aug 28: In a significant development, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will unveil a 100% ethanol-fueled variant of Toyota's Innova car tomorrow (August 29).

 

 

Gadkari has been exhorting automakers to come out with alternative fuel-powered and green vehicles. Last year, he had launched a hydrogen-powered car, the Toyota Mirai EV. “On August 29, I am going to launch the popular (Toyota) Innova car on 100 percent ethanol," the minister said.

 

 

 

 

Speaking at the Mint Sustainability Summit, Gadkari has said, “On August 29, I am going to launch the popular (Toyota) Innova car on 100 per cent ethanol. If we want to become Atamnirbhar (self-reliant) we have to bring this oil import to zero. At present it is ₹16 lakh crore. This is a big loss to the economy."
 

Gadkari informed that he started taking an interest in biofuels in 2004 after the petrol price hike in the country and visited Brazil for this purpose. According to Gadkari, biofuels can do wonders and save a lot of forexes which is being spent on the import of petroleum.

 

 

“If we want to become Atamnirbhar (self-reliant) we have to bring this oil import to zero. At present it is ₹16 lakh crore. This is a big loss to the economy. India needs to take more sustainable measures as pollution is a big problem in the country," Gadkari asserted.

 

“We have taken a lot of (sustainability) initiatives but we need to take more because pollution is a problem. Ecology and the environment are very important," he said as quoted by PTI.

 

"We need to reduce air and water pollution. We have to improve the quality of water in our rivers. This is a big challenge. We need to protect our ecology and environment," the minister added.

 

In addition, Nitin Gadkari said that various road projects worth Rs 65,000 crore are expected to be completed by the year-end which also includes the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. He also pointed toward the harmful impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides saying this causes cancer-like diseases. He believes that organic farming can create a lot of wealth and move us towards sustainability.

 

“We need to educate people to change waste into wealth. The logistic cost would come down to nine percent from 14 to 16 percent at present with the construction of more highways," he said.