Nitin Gadkari's dare on E20 petrol row: Show a single instance of cars facing issue
'There is no example of any car facing issues due to ethanol-blended petrol,' he added.Gadkari also highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol blending. By reducing the country's crude oil import bill and curbing vehicular emissions, the programme, he said, supports both energy security and climate goals.He pointed out that ethanol production has created new income opportunities for farmers as well. 'Corn was selling at Rs 1,200 per quintal. Now it's used to make ethanol, and it fetches Rs 2,600 per quintal,' he said, adding that this price jump was directly benefiting rural agricultural incomes.Gadkari described the ethanol push as a 'diversification of agriculture towards energy and power."He further suggested that some of the criticism may be driven by vested interests. 'Some people may have vested interest in criticising this, but we do not need to worry about that,' he said. 'All these things are tested by the ARAI, there are reports, and then our ministry determines the standards.'His comments come days after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a detailed clarification addressing rising public concerns over the impact of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) on vehicle performance. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry dismissed these fears as 'largely unfounded and not supported by scientific evidence or expert analysis.'Citing long-term testing data, the ministry said that both carbureted and fuel-injected vehicles had been run for 100,000 kilometres using E20, with performance evaluated every 10,000 km. These tests found 'no statistically significant differences' in power, torque, or mileage compared to conventional petrol. Additional assessments by ARAI, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), and Indian Oil Corporation's R&D team found that even older 'legacy vehicles' did not suffer abnormal wear and tear. E20 also passed cold and hot engine start tests without incident.While acknowledging that ethanol's lower energy density can lead to a drop in mileage, the ministry clarified that this decline is minor—about 1–2% for newer vehicles calibrated for E20, and 3–6% for older models. The reduction, it said, is not drastic and can be mitigated with proper engine tuning and the use of ethanol-compatible materials, now adopted by automakers since April 2023, as per SIAM.advertisementFears about corrosion were also dismissed. The ministry noted that E20 includes corrosion inhibitors, and that existing fuel standards under BIS and Automotive Industry Standards already account for long-term safety. In older vehicles, rubber parts or gaskets may need replacement after 20,000–30,000 km, which it termed a routine and inexpensive maintenance task.Beyond safety, the government highlighted the programme's environmental and economic payoffs. Ethanol, as a renewable biofuel, helps reduce carbon emissions. According to a NITI Aayog study, lifecycle emissions from sugarcane-based ethanol are 65% lower than petrol, while maize-based ethanol emits 50% less. The blending strategy has also saved India over Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014–15 and enabled payments of over Rs 1.20 lakh crore to farmers through the ethanol procurement programme.With a higher octane rating (~108.5) compared to petrol's 84.4, E20 also supports the needs of modern high-compression engines. Ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation lowers intake manifold temperatures, improving efficiency and engine response.The ministry also pushed back against claims that the rollout was rushed. It pointed to the Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020–25, which has been publicly available since 2021, and said the transition has been phased in consultation with automakers, oil companies, and regulators.advertisement'The narrative that ethanol-blended petrol harms vehicles or short-changes consumers lacks technical foundation,' it stated.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by experts/brokerages in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group. It is advisable to consult a qualified broker or financial advisor before making any actual investment or trading choices.)- Ends
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