Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has been a strong advocate of the adoption of eco-friendly fuels and electric vehicles in India. A recent online video shows his commitment towards green transportation solutions, as he proudly displays his flex-fuel-powered Toyota Innova HighCross hybrid MPV.

In the video, an anchor is talking to the Union Minister about the cars present in his garage. Notably, Gadkari is different from other politicians who own expensive vehicles like Range Rovers, as he likes to promote eco-friendly mobility solutions. He showcased his Toyota Innova HighCross, which appears to be one of his latest acquisitions.

Gadkari highlighted that the vehicle is one of the few BS6 (Bharat Stage 6 emission standard) cars globally that can run on 100 percent ethanol. He discussed the advantages of ethanol, especially its local sourcing from farmers, which reduces production costs. Ethanol is more cost-effective than regular gasoline and contributes to lower overall operating expenses.

Furthermore, Gadkari emphasizes the environmental benefits of using ethanol, as it does not emit harmful exhaust gases. The hybrid version of the Innova HighCross offers increased fuel efficiency, making it a more viable option. Gadkari explains that this vehicle can switch between 100 percent petrol and 100 percent ethanol without any problem.

He also mentioned that two-wheeler manufacturers are developing flex-fuel engine options, and the government is already offering such fuel through petrol pumps across the country. Additionally, he discusses ongoing discussions with the Finance Minister regarding potential tax cuts for vehicles capable of using flex-fuel options.

Gadkari believes that widespread use of ethanol will reduce India's fuel imports, leading to more affordable fuel prices. He also mentioned that Indian Oil is currently working on producing aviation-grade fuel from ethanol using agricultural residues, which are typically burned by farmers after harvest. This approach could help tackle the problem of air pollution caused by stubble burning, which is a significant problem in North India during the winter months.

Apart from his flex-fuel vehicle, Gadkari has a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car that uses a 4JM electric motor, producing 182 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque. This Mirai model includes a single-speed automatic transmission, a 1.2 kWh lithium-ion battery and three hydrogen tanks with a combined range of 647 km. Additionally, he purchased a BMW iX electric SUV last year, demonstrating his commitment to cleaner and more sustainable forms of transportation.