Megha Das 
The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the International Sugar Organisation (ISO), and the Government of India hosted the first annual ‘The India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference, 2023’ in Delhi on September 21st and 22nd, where Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) displayed two of its Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles.
The firm has demonstrated the importance of biofuels in attaining carbon neutrality and a smooth energy transition away from the use of fossil fuels with its cutting-edge green vehicle technology.
There were about 500 people there, including government officials, specialists, sugar mill owners, representatives from academic institutions and trade groups, journalists, and members of the media.
Furthermore, over the course of the two days, the conference will see the participation of eminent global and India thought leaders sharing their specialised knowledge on the robust sugar economy and its trades globally, and innovative technologies for inclusive growth in the bio-fuels sector, thereby facilitating the sharing of ideas and the development of new approaches to the sugar and bio-energy industries. To promote the use of ethanol as a clean, indigenous, renewable, and sustainable energy source in India’s automobile sector, TKM and ISMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2023.
Toyota, a worldwide leader in sustainability, has pledged to become carbon neutral on a per-vehicle basis by the year 2050, and by 2035 it hopes to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from its manufacturing processes.
By introducing and supporting multiple clean technologies that best align with the requirements of each market, Toyota is advancing greener mobility solutions with greater agility. These requirements include the energy mix, consumer acceptance, infrastructure readiness, and meeting the national objectives of each country.
We are dedicated to helping India achieve its goals of achieving ‘Atma Nirbhar’ status in energy by 2047, being carbon neutral by 2070, and increasing domestic manufacturing to fuel the country’s fast economic development. TKM has just shown off the world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) electrified flex fuel vehicle based on the Innova Hycross. Both this prototype and the Toyota-Brazilian-manufactured Corolla Flex-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (shown as Toyota’s first-of-its-kind pilot project in India, in October 2022) were on exhibit at the ISBEC.
Our Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi Ji at the G20 summit announced the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance, which is well aligned with Toyota’s recent efforts to raise awareness of the mobility afforded by Ethanol-based vehicles, an advanced technology developed using indigenous and sustainable fuel.
As a renewable, clean energy source that may considerably aid in the transition away from fossil fuel and the reduction of carbon emissions at both a quick speed and on a large scale, ethanol is one of India’s most promising possibilities. Since ethanol is derived from crops, its increased usage as a fuel would not only raise Government revenue but also stimulate the agricultural economy by improving farmer incomes and providing new employment opportunities. Supporting Government’s vision, wherein farmers will not just be ‘Annadatas,’ but also become ‘Urjadatas,’ with vehicles powered by ethanol produced by proud farmers, the government has also recently launched second-generation technologies for producing ethanol from agricultural residues like Agriculture waste (parali), which is currently otherwise burnt.
India’s abundant renewable energy sources, excess sugar, food grains, and biomass present enormous opportunities for the country to make the shift to a cleaner, more self-sufficient energy future.
Ethanol may quickly replace a large fraction of the fuel used by automobiles, and it can be made from readily accessible sugarcane, surplus food grains, and massive biomass waste.
After the year 2025, India will have an abundance of ethanol, far more than is necessary for the E20 regime.
Flex Fuel Vehicle innovations, i.e. cars that can utilise greater mixes of ethanol above 20% mix (E20), will be necessary to fully achieve the available potential and maximise the societal advantages.
However, the decreased energy density of Ethanol presents a hurdle for Flex Fuel Vehicles. To get around this problem, you may employ the electric powertrain in tandem with the flex fuel engine for better gas mileage. Because of the high electric mode driving ratio, electrified flex fuel vehicles not only give the benefit of increased fuel replacement (with ethanol), but also good fuel economy.
Mr. Aditya Jhunjhunwala, President of the Indian Sugar Mills Association, made the following statement at the ISBEC: “We are thrilled to welcome Toyota Kirloskar Motor as a valued stakeholder in ‘The India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference 2023.’ We share Toyota’s goal of promoting ethanol, the rural economy, and environmentally friendly transportation alternatives in India, and we applaud their dedication to sustainability and emphasis on biofuels as an indigenous, green vehicle fuel of the future.
We hope that by launching these landmark projects, we can educate consumers, legislators, industry stakeholders, etc., on the value of biofuels and encourage them to work together to spread the word. ISMA as a whole is very appreciative of the government’s announcement of the global biofuel alliance, and we want to do all in our power to help make it a huge success and to reap the benefits of international cooperation.
We can reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage in our country by working together to create a cleaner and more sustainable future in the automobile industry.
Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, commented on Toyota’s attendance at the ISBEC, saying, “Toyota will continue its relentless efforts in contributing to future innovations by promoting sustainable technological advancements in the green mobility space.” Because ‘carbon is the true enemy,’ Toyota is committed to providing consumers with a wide range of options in vehicle engine technology, including the recently introduced Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle. Since ethanol is a renewable energy source with deep roots in India and may help cut down on the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, we expect it to do very well there.
Our participation at ‘The India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference 2023’ is something we’re really excited about. Platforms of this significance are a direct result of the concerted efforts of many different groups working together to identify the most effective ways to increase energy independence and green transportation across the country. Continuing, he said.
The India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference 2023 is a one-of-a-kind forum for industry leaders to get together and exchange innovative ideas for achieving sustainability and expanding the market for biofuels. In keeping with Toyota’s multifaceted strategy to promote sustainable and green mobility, TKM will be represented by Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, who will be a major speaker at a session devoted to the topic of “Bioenergy Policies & Regulation Framework.”
TKM, as a leader in the field of electric vehicles and a conscientious business, is committed to promoting the “Mass Happiness of All” through its continued adoption of environmentally friendly vehicle technologies and pursuit of innovative, all-encompassing ideas.
