Ethanol can save us

Every year we import more than what we export. What is the major contributor to this? Crude. Whenever crude prices we have a huge debate about increasing petrol prices. But what are we doing to help ourselves? How are we going to reduce our dependence on crude/oil?

Today the U.S is encouraging the production and consumption of ethanol as a substitute/additive to gasoline (petrol). This is helping them reduce their dependence on crude. In fact, California has passed a law that all gasoline consumed in the state should contain at least 10% ethanol. The oil major Shell, produces oil with 10% ethanol and is available throughout the U.S. There is no modification in vehicles required for this.

India has potential to produce a lot of ethanol. Ethanol is a by product of sugar. There are sugarcane belts in U.P and Andhra Pradesh which can produce a lot of ethanol .Sugar companies should sell this idea to the government. Government in turn should pass laws to force the use of ethanol as an additive in petrol.

A 10% reduction in crude consumption will help us a lot in our balance of trade.