New Delhi, Aug 5 || The government has refuted media reports which raised concerns about the potential negative impact of 20 per cent ethanol blending (E20) in petrol, particularly with regard to older vehicles and customer experience.
“These concerns, however, are largely unfounded and not supported by scientific evidence or expert analysis,” the Petroleum Ministry said in a statement, adding that the narrative that ethanol blending in petrol is harming vehicles or causing undue hardship to consumers is “not based on real facts and lacks technical foundation”.
International studies on the effect of using Ethanol-Petrol Blends on Mechanical, Energy and Environmental Performance of Vehicles through testing of carbureted and fuel-injected vehicles every 10,000 km during their first 100,000 km showed statistically no significant differences in power and torque generated and fuel consumption.
“Material compatibility and drivability tests by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) and Indian Oil Corporation (R&D) have confirmed that legacy vehicles also showed no significant variations, performance issues or abnormal wear-and-tear when operated with E20. Moreover, E20 fuel passed hot and cold startability tests without any engine damage,” the ministry said in an X post.