ISMA DG: Ethanol Conversion Kits Likely To Cost Around Rs 15,000

Deepak Ballani, director general of ISMA (Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association), stated that ethanol conversion kits for petrol cars made locally are anticipated to be priced at roughly Rs 15,000 for consumers. 

As per reports, Ballani said,

“The cost locally, if it can be done in India, will be in the range of around Rs 15,000 for the end customer”. 

This is significantly cheaper than the imported ethanol conversion kits, which currently cost between Rs 40,000 and Rs 60,000 on international online retail platforms. 

To assess the technology, ISMA worked with IIT Delhi to modify imported ethanol conversion kits for a BS4 Maruti Swift (E10-compliant) and a BS6 Maruti Dzire (E20-compliant). Both vehicles underwent testing for over 10,000km, with the research evaluating their performance and endurance across ethanol mixtures from E15 to E100.

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The BS4 Swift and BS6 Dzire were tested with various ethanol blends from E15 to E100, tracking drivability, fuel efficiency, emissions, and engine performance. 

The concluding report, reviewed by Autocar Professional, revealed that the BS4 Swift traveled 10,500 km using different ethanol mixtures, including a 1,000 km journey on E100 fuel. The BS6 Swift Dzire covered a distance of 14,250 km throughout the testing, which included a 5,000 km journey on 100% ethanol.

Researchers also tested the acceleration, deceleration, starting behaviour, real-time performance, emissions, fuel consumption, and engine health indicators and observed no unusual behaviour during the testing process with the eFlexFuel kits from Finland, priced starting at approximately 45,000. 

Also Read - E100 Fuel Regulations Approved By Nitin Gadkari

This kit incorporates an ethanol sensor to show ethanol levels and modify fuel injection as needed. As a result, the vehicle can adjust to different ethanol mixtures without separate ECU calibration for every fuel combination.

Ballani also stated, 

“After extensive study, ISMA submitted a report and said that BS4 and BS6 vehicles could be converted to a flex fuel vehicle by such a kit. It can have any fuel, E85 or E100, and is running fine without any damage to the vehicle”.

Image Source: Maruti Suzuki