Ethanol Blending Under Fire, Government Fires Back
As concerns swirl on social media and in public discourse over the performance and safety of E20 petrol (a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol), Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has thrown down the gauntlet. Speaking at the Business Today India@100 Summit, Gadkari challenged detractors to provide even a single instance of a vehicle malfunctioning due to E20 fuel.
His strong rebuttal comes amid rising criticism and alleged misinformation about India’s ethanol-blending programme—a cornerstone policy aimed at reducing oil imports, lowering emissions, and boosting rural incomes.
Gadkari’s Challenge: “Just Name One Car”
Gadkari was unequivocal in his defence of the programme. “By putting 20% ethanol-blended petrol, has there been any car in the country that has faced issues? Just name one,” he asked.
He asserted that both the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) had supported the ethanol rollout, and no complaint had been logged regarding damage or malfunction due to E20 usage.
He further pointed to vested interests behind the resistance: “Some people may have motives to oppose this. But all standards are set after rigorous testing by authorised agencies.”
Ministry’s Data-Backed Defence: No Major Performance Drops
Backing Gadkari’s stance, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently issued a comprehensive clarification, dismissing public fears as “largely unfounded.”
Key findings from long-term testing include:
· Both carbureted and fuel-injected engines were tested for 100,000 km with performance checks every 10,000 km.
· There were no statistically significant changes in power, torque, or mileage.
· Tests were validated by ARAI, Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and Indian Oil Corporation’s R&D division.
While a minor drop in mileage was acknowledged (1–2% in E20-ready vehicles, 3–6% in older models), experts stated it can be mitigated through engine tuning and ethanol-compatible materials, already adopted by most automakers since April 2023.
Safety and Maintenance Concerns Addressed
Contrary to fears of corrosion or engine wear, the ministry clarified:
· E20 includes corrosion inhibitors under BIS fuel quality standards.
· Legacy vehicles may require minor part replacements (e.g., rubber gaskets) after 20,000–30,000 km—considered routine maintenance.
· E20 has successfully passed cold and hot start tests, even in older vehicles.
Economic & Environmental Upside: Ethanol Pays Dividends
Gadkari emphasized that ethanol blending has led to a multi-pronged gain for India:
· Crude oil import bill savings of over ₹1.40 lakh crore since 2014–15.
· Payments of ₹1.20 lakh crore to farmers, turning ethanol into a rural wealth engine.
· A significant price rise in corn, now fetching ₹2,600 per quintal (up from ₹1,200), due to its ethanol value.
Environmentally, ethanol is far cleaner:
· Ethanol from sugarcane emits 65% less CO₂ than petrol.
· Ethanol from maize cuts emissions by 50%.
· It also offers a higher-octane rating (~108.5), which benefits modern engines with better combustion and thermal efficiency.
Phased Rollout, Not Rushed Reform
Critics have accused the government of rushing the E20 implementation, but the ministry strongly disagrees.
The “Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020–25” has been public since 2021, and the transition has been phased in cooperation with automakers and fuel companies.
Gadkari reiterated that the rollout was scientific, planned, and beneficial, dismissing opposition as lacking both technical merit and public interest.
Ethanol Blending is a Green Bet Worth Making
India’s ethanol blending programme is not just about fuel—it’s about energy independence, rural empowerment, and climate responsibility. While some performance trade-offs exist, the evidence shows they are minimal and manageable, especially with modern engines and updated standards.
Moving forward, the government may consider:
· Awareness campaigns to educate consumers on ethanol benefits.
· Incentives for retrofitting older vehicles with ethanol-compatible parts.
· Increased R&D into next-generation biofuels.
With proper implementation and clear communication, ethanol could become the cornerstone of India’s green fuel future—and critics will be left with no example to name.
(With agency inputs)
