BEIJING — China plans to use ethanol gasoline across the country by 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Sept 13.

“The plan was unveiled as the country is pushing the use of biofuel, which is renewable, applicable, environmentally friendly and tech-savvy. It is an ideal alternative to fossil fuel,” a senior NEA official said.

More than 40 countries and regions consume about 600 million tons of ethanol fuel every year, accounting for around 60 percent of the world’s annual gasoline use.

China is the world’s third largest bioethanol producer and uses nearly 2.6 million tons a year. Gasoline blended with ethanol accounts for one-fifth of its annual gasoline consumption.

According to the plan, China aims to build an advanced liquid biofuel system and put into operation a demonstrative facility that will be able to produce 50,000 tonnes of cellulosic ethanol a year, by 2020.

China launched corn-to-ethanol pilot programs in 2004, as part of efforts to cut emissions and advance new energy.