Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday asked vehicle manufacturers to discourage production and sale of diesel engine vehicles, and urged them to promote other technologies.
Addressing industry body SIAM's annual convention virtually, Gadkari said the government is committed to delivering vehicles with flex engines that give the users an option to run a vehicle on either 100 per cent petrol or 100 per cent bio-ethanol.
"I appeal the vehicle manufacturers to discourage the production and sale of diesel engine vehicles. Diesel-based pollution is extremely hazardous to the environment and human health.
"The industry must promote alternative fuel technologies and fund R&D (research and development) for alternative fuels," he said.
The minister said he is looking forward to the industry for quick roll-out of E20-compatible vehicles.
E20 is a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol.
"This will be immensely helpful in cutting our import bill an
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