Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched Toyota's pilot project on flex fuel-strong hybrid electric vehicle (FFV-SHEV) and said that the success of this pilot project will create an ecosystem of electric vehicles and make India a global leader in the manufacture of these EVs.

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"Today our dream has come true...! Launched India`s first FFV-SHEV which would run on 100 per cent petrol as well as 20 to 100 per cent blended ethanol and electric powertrain," Gadkari said after launching the car.

The Union Minister opined that electric vehicles have already become very popular, and there already exists such a demand for EVs that a long waiting list of people are waiting to buy their own battery-powered rides. "People come to me, to give recommendation letter for Tata EV cars," he shared.

The minister said this at the launch event of Toyota's pilot project on flex fuel-strong hybrid electric vehicle (FFV-SHEV), which can run on 20 to 100 per cent ethanol, apart from running on petrol and battery as well.

"Encouraging our 'Anndatas' to become 'Urjadatas', the success of this pilot project will create an ecosystem of electric vehicles and make #NewIndia, a global leader in the manufacture of these electric vehicles," Nitin Gadkari tweeted.

"Such technologies are innovative, revolutionary, sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient & will completely transform the transportation sector in New India," Gadkari further added in his tweets.

Commenting on the pressing need for ethanol usage in India, Gadkari said, "I request Petroleum Secretary, now is the time we can open ethanol pumps in India." He added, "We can have private companies opening ethanol pumps in India. Indian Oil (IOC) already has 3 ethanol pumps."

What are flex fuel vehicles?
The Flex fuel vehicles are those which can run on flexible fuels- petrol, ethanol or a blend of petrol and ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles are those which can switch easily from engine fuel from petrol to ethanol. 

Nitin Gadkari has been advocating for more sustainable and green alternatives as replacements for petrol and diesel for many years. He also appealed to the public to use vehicles running on ethanol, methanol, electric and CNG instead of diesel and petrol.

Apart from Gadkari, Union Ministers Mahendra Nath Pandey, Bhupender Yadav and senior officials of Toyota Kirloskar Motor were also present at the event.