India pushes flex fuel cars to cut oil imports amid Middle East turmoil

Ethanol blends could reduce crude demand fast—if policies move

India is set to fast-track flex-fuel vehicles that can run on higher ethanol blends, aiming to curb dependence on imported oil. The push comes as crude markets stay jittery due to geopolitical shocks, including conflicts affecting Middle East energy supplies. If adoption accelerates, ethanol could become a buffer against oil price spikes and import volatility.