India to boost biofuels efforts

India is planning to increase the promotion of biofuels to reduce its crude oil import bill.

Current estimates suggest India has the potential to produce 1,200,000 million tonnes, but at present the country only produces 60,000 tonnes, of which 80% is exported. To lift this figure, the country will encourage the production of non-edible oil seeds that lead to biofuel production.

Nitin Godkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, says that alternative fuels and hybrid engines will be promoted by his Ministry.

Increasing the use of biofuels is expected to bring down ndia's crude oil import bill and also lower pollution, as biofuels emit less carbon dioxide.