Mercedes-Benz proposes to shift its cars to biodiesel in India

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is probing the possibility to shift its diesel cars and other vehicles in India to biodiesel. 

"Mercedes has given me a letter that they can use 100% biodiesel in their cars and buses," Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told the India Times nespaper.

"Mercedes India chief has told me that the standards which we have prescribed for biodiesel can be easily used to power their motors," he said. 

The Indian Supreme Court banned the registration of diesel sports utility vehicles and high-end vehicles with engine capacity of over 2,000cc in last December on the basis of pollution.

As per a recent government draft notification on use of biodiesel, newly manufactured vehicles fitted with compression ignition engine compatible to run on diesel or mixture of biodiesel up to 100% biodiesel will be type approved as per the prevailing diesel emission standards. 

However, the final notification from the road transport and highways ministry on 100% use of biodiesel is yet to come. 

Gadkari said that major automobile and construction equipment companies have also shown their willingness to use biodiesel, which will be a major step in minimising high pollution levels.

"We are going to issue the notification in this regard soon. I am already in talks with petroleum ministry on how to make biodiesel available at petrol pumps," he said.

India’s National Policy on Biofuels has proposed a 20% blending ratio for both biodiesel and ethanol by 2017.

However, Gadkari's ministry decided to allow 100% biodiesel for vehicles, citing its low pollution level and lower reliance on imported crude fuel.