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India.com
4 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Better Acceleration, Ride Quality, Environment-Friendly: Govt Allays Fears Over Ethanol-Blended Petrol
New Delhi: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified on Tuesday that 20 per cent Ethanol Blended Petrol (E20) gives better acceleration, better ride quality and has lowered carbon emissions by approximately 30 per cent as compared to E10 fuel. The statement, issued to allay fears over mileage and vehicle life, further said that ethanol's higher octane number (about 108.5 compared to petrol's 84.4) makes ethanol-blended fuels a valuable alternative for higher-octane requirements that are crucial for modern high-compression engines. Vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration, which is a very important factor in city driving conditions. Additionally, ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency, the statement said. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Brazil has been successfully running on E27 for years with zero issues. The same automakers, such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc., produce vehicles there too, the statement said. "Concerns related to performance and mileage being raised now were anticipated as early as 2020 by the government, and an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) of the NITI Aayog examined them at length. This was also backed by research studies carried out by Indian Oil Corporation, ARAI and SIAM," the statement said. Previously, petrol was being sold in India with a Research Octane Number (RON) of 88. Today, regular petrol in India has an RON of 91 to meet the requirements of BS-VI, which aims to reduce harmful emissions. However, this has again been improved further to RON 95 with blending of Ethanol 20, resulting in better anti-knocking properties and performance, the statement said. The critiques suggesting that E20 causes a "drastic" reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced, the statement said, noting that vehicle mileage is influenced by a variety of factors beyond just fuel type. These include driving habits, maintenance practices such as oil changes and air filter cleanliness, tyre pressure and alignment, and even air conditioning load, it said. Extensive discussions have been carried out with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) as well as prominent manufacturers of vehicles. The efficiency drop (if any) in E10 vehicles has been marginal. For some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20 compatible from as far back as 2009. The question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise, the statement pointed out. Ethanol Blending is a national programme. Some seek to derail it by fomenting fear and confusion in the minds of car owners by selectively picking information and creating a false narrative that insurance companies will not cover car damage due to the use of E20 fuels. This fear-mongering is totally baseless and has been clarified by an insurance company whose tweet screenshot was deliberately misinterpreted to create fear and confusion. Usage of E20 fuel has no impact on the validity of insurance of vehicles in India, the statement contended. The alternative of going back to E20 Petrol would involve losing the hard-fought gains on pollution and the success achieved in energy transition, the statement said. The roadmap of the IMC has been in the public domain since 2021 and laid out a calibrated path to reaching E-20. Since then, there has been a period of over 4 years, which has allowed vehicle technology to improve, the supply chain to be calibrated, and an overall ecosystem to be developed, according to the statement. Moreover, safety standards for E20 are well established through BIS specifications and Automotive Industry Standards. In most parameters, including drivability, startability, metal compatibility, and plastic compatibility, there are no issues. Only in the case of certain older vehicles, some rubber parts and gaskets may require replacement earlier than in the case where non-blended fuel was used. This replacement is inexpensive and can be easily managed during routine servicing. It may need to be done once in the lifetime of the vehicle and is a simple process to be carried out at any authorised workshop, the statement said. The statement said that some concerns have been voiced that ethanol-blended petrol should be cheaper than non-blended fuel and that this cost advantage has not been passed on to the customers, noting that these are referring to a NITI Aayog report. In 2020-21, when the report was prepared, ethanol was cheaper than Petrol. Over time, the procurement prices of ethanol have increased, and now the weighted average price of ethanol is higher than the cost of refined petrol. Despite the increase in price of ethanol in comparison to petrol, the oil companies have not gone back on the ethanol blending mandate because the programme delivers on energy security, boosts farmers' incomes and environmental sustainability. In the meantime, automobile manufacturers continue to engage with vehicle owners to provide them with any support that may be warranted to ensure the optimum performance of vehicles. For a vehicle owner who believes that his/her vehicle may require further tuning or parts replacement, the entire network of authorised service stations is available to respond to such requests. There continue to be apprehensions about whether the country will go beyond E20 very rapidly, the statement said, adding that any move beyond E-20 requires careful calibration, for which extensive consultations are underway. This has involved the same vehicle manufacturers who are already in Brazil as well as other manufacturers, entities involved in the supply of feed stocks, R&D agencies, oil companies and ethanol producers. This process is yet to reach a conclusion. In the meantime, the current roadmap commits the government to E20 up to October 31, 2026. Decisions beyond this date will involve submission of the report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, evaluation of its recommendations, stakeholder consultations and a considered decision of the government in this regard. That decision is yet to be taken, the statement added.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
'Creating false narrative': Oil ministry reacts to 'fear mongering' on 20% ethanol-blended petrol on vehicles; Here's what it said
Representative AI image The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Tuesday strongly rejected what it calls 'fear-mongering' over the performance and safety of E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, saying claims of drastic fuel efficiency loss and insurance issues are 'misplaced' and 'creating a false narrative. ' In a detailed press release on Tuesday, the ministry defended the government's ethanol-blending programme, listing multiple benefits and clarifying that E20 fuel does not void vehicle insurance in India. 'The use of E-20 gives better acceleration, better ride quality and most importantly, lowered carbon emissions by approximately 30% as compared to E10 fuel. Ethanol's higher-octane number makes Ethanol-blended fuels a valuable alternative for higher-octane requirements that is crucial for modern high-compression engines,' the ministry said, referring to petrol blended with 10% ethanol. It also pointed out ethanol's higher-octane number about 108.5 versus petrol's 84.4, as a performance booster for modern high-compression engines. Acceleration, emissions, and engine performance According to the ministry, vehicles tuned for E20 deliver noticeably better acceleration, which is important in city driving conditions. 'Vehicles tuned for E20 deliver better acceleration which is a very important factor in city driving conditions. Additionally, Ethanol's higher heat of vaporisation reduces intake manifold temperatures, increasing air-fuel mixture density and boosting volumetric efficiency,' it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo 'Previously petrol was being sold in India with Research Octane Number (RON) of 88. Today, regular petrol in India has a RON of 91 to meet the requirements of BS-VI emission norms. This has now been further improved to RON 95 with blending of E20, resulting in better anti-knocking properties and performance,' it added. Insurance 'fear-mongering' The ministry took aim at social media posts claiming that insurance companies will not cover damage caused by using E20 fuel. It made it clear that critiques suggesting that E20 causes a 'drastic' reduction in fuel efficiency are misplaced. "Some seek to derail it by fomenting fear and confusion in the minds of car owners by selectively picking information and creating a false narrative that insurance companies will not cover car damage due to use of E20 fuels. This fear mongering is totally baseless and has been clarified by an insurance company whose tweet screenshot was deliberately misinterpreted to create fear and confusion. Usage of E20 fuel has no impact on the validity of insurance of vehicles in India," it stated. Fuel efficiency debate Concerns about E20 causing a 'drastic' drop in mileage have been growing online. Some posts cite ethanol's lower energy density (29.7 MJ/kg compared to petrol's 46.4 MJ/kg) to argue that ethanol produces less energy per litre. The ministry acknowledged ethanol's lower energy density but stressed that the real-world efficiency drop is small. It referred to its August 4 statement: for four-wheelers designed for E10 but calibrated for E20, mileage may drop only 1–2%; in other vehicles, the decrease could be 3–6%. "Vehicle mileage is influenced by a variety of factors beyond just fuel type. These include driving habits, maintenance practices such as oil changes and air filter cleanliness, tyre pressure and alignment, and even air conditioning load," it said. It added that for some manufacturers, vehicles have been E20-compatible since as far back as 2009, meaning 'the question of any drop in fuel efficiency in such vehicles does not arise." Economic and Environmental Gains Ethanol blending has been a key part of India's energy strategy, aimed at reducing crude oil imports, cutting emissions, and boosting rural incomes. Ethanol blending in Petrol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) has resulted in savings/conservation of more than Rs.1,44,087 crore of foreign exchange, crude oil substitution of about 245 lakh metric tonnes providing crucial energy security and CO2 emission reduction of approximately 736 lakh metric tonnes, the equivalent of planting 30 crore trees. At 20% blending, it is expected that payment to the farmers in this year alone will be to the tune of Rs.40,000 crore and forex savings will be around Rs. 43,000 crores. In addition to pollution reduction, there have been transformative benefits in terms of benefits to the rural economy, elimination of sugarcane arrears and improving the viability of maize cultivation in the country. 'More income to farmers has not only contributed to furthering their well-being but has also helped decisively tackle the challenge of suicides by farmers. It may be recalled that in areas like Vidarbha farmers suicides were widespread a few years ago,' it added. A NITI Aayog study found greenhouse gas emissions 'in case of use of sugarcane and maize based Ethanol are less by 65% and 50%, respectively than those of petrol.' "In addition to pollution reduction, there have been transformative benefits in terms of benefits to the rural economy, elimination of sugarcane arrears and improving the viability of maize cultivation in the country," it added. Programme costs and price concerns Some have argued ethanol-blended petrol should be cheaper than pure petrol. The ministry clarified that while ethanol was cheaper when the 2020–21 NITI Aayog report was prepared, procurement prices have since risen. Currently, the average procurement cost of ethanol is Rs 71.32 per litre (including transport and GST), with maize-based ethanol costing Rs 71.86 per litre. For comparison, C-heavy molasses-based ethanol has risen from Rs 46.66 in 2021–22 to Rs 57.97 in 2024–25. Despite ethanol now costing more than refined petrol, the ministry said oil companies have not rolled back blending because the programme delivers on energy security, farmer incomes, and environmental goals. India's 'bridge fuels' transition strategy The ethanol programme, the ministry noted, is part of India's 'bridge fuels' strategy alongside natural gas, supporting the country's pledge to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The roadmap to E20, published by NITI Aayog in 2021, gave industry more than four years to adapt technology, supply chains, and infrastructure. Going back to unblended petrol (E0), the ministry warned, would mean losing hard-won gains in pollution reduction and energy transition. Support for vehicle owners Automobile manufacturers, in coordination with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), continue to assist vehicle owners in optimising performance with E20 fuel. "In the meanwhile, automobile manufacturers continue to engage with vehicle owners to provide them any support that may be warranted to ensure optimum performance of vehicles. For a vehicle owner, who believes that his/her vehicle may require further tuning or parts replacement, the entire network of authorized service stations are available to respond to such requests," the statement added. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Octane and Honda Team Up to Expand Financing Opportunities to Non-Prime Customers
Honda Dealerships and Customers Will Benefit from New Financing Options and Award-Winning Digital Tools NEW YORK, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Octane® (Octane Lending, Inc.®), the fintech revolutionizing the buying experience for major recreational purchases, and American Honda (Honda) announced today that they have partnered to offer financing for non-prime customers in the United States. Effective July 30, non-prime customers can qualify for financing on Honda's full line of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, and side-by-sides through Octane's in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial®, Inc., while Honda's dealer network can access expanded financing opportunities for their customers. This is the first time customers across the credit spectrum will have access to non-prime financing options through a Honda partner and builds on Honda's available financing options through its own in-house lender. At the same time, Honda's dealer network can take advantage of Octane's suite of digital tools and increased incremental sales opportunities for free. "Honda is an industry leader, and we're thrilled to partner with them to build on the great financing experience they provide to customers across the country," said Jon Vestal, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Recreational Lending at Octane. "Together, we're making it easier for dealerships to expand their businesses, while enabling more people to access their dream vehicle." "Honda has always been committed to making the powersports experience attainable for more enthusiasts," said Cory Findlay, Manager of Sales Support at American Honda. "We're pleased that our new partnership with Octane accomplishes that objective by opening a wider range of purchase options for non-prime powersports customers. As a result, we expect to see even more people enjoying Honda's extensive lineup of motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides." This announcement builds on Octane's momentum and expands its growing network of over 60 OEM partner brands. The company has sold or entered into forward flow commitments of over $2.8 billion to-date and surpassed $6 billion in aggregate originations. Octane grew originations in 2024 by 36% year over year. About Octane:Octane® is revolutionizing recreational purchases by delivering a seamless, end-to-end digital buying experience. The company connects people with their passions by combining cutting-edge technology and innovative risk strategies to make lifestyle purchases–like powersports vehicles, RVs, boats, personal watercraft, and outdoor power equipment–fast, easy, and accessible. Octane adds value throughout the customer journey: inspiring enthusiasts with the Octane Media™ editorial brands, including Cycle World® and UTV Driver®, instantly prequalifying consumers for financing online, routing customers to dealerships for an easy closing, and supporting customers throughout their loan with superior loan servicing. Founded in 2014, Octane supports over 60 OEM partner brands and over 4,000 dealer partners, and has a team of 600 in remote and hybrid roles. Visit Octane® and Roadrunner Financial® are registered service marks of Octane Lending, Inc. Cycle World® and UTV Driver® are registered trademarks of Octane Media, LLC. Octane Media Relations: Shannon O'HaraPress@ Octane Investor Relations:IR@ About Honda PowersportsHonda began motorcycle sales in America in 1959, and today offers a full range of Honda motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-sides in the U.S. Innovative technology always has been a Honda trademark, showcasing pioneering engine and chassis design that has set the standard for excellence for more than 65 years. Honda also has announced plans for battery-electric powersports products. Honda Powersports products have been built in America for 45 years, and today, all Honda side-by-sides and ATVs are made in America at Honda manufacturing plants in Timmonsville, SC, and Swepsonville, NC, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Learn more at More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook. Honda Powersports Media Relations: Bradley Adamsbradley_adams@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Octane Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Octane raises $5.2mln to transform MENA's fleet payments
Egypt's leading digital platform for fleet and on-road expense management Octane has closed a $5.20 million funding round led by Shorooq, Algebra Ventures, and Elsewedy Capital Holding. Octane will use the new capital to expand its network, boost its technology stack, and support the company's growth across Egypt and the wider MENA region, according to a press release. It secures a single closed-loop digital wallet that consolidates fuel, maintenance, spare parts, petty cash, and more into one platform. The solution backs diesel, gasoline, and CNG, with EV-charging payments rolling out at pilot locations to keep pace with customers' evolving energy needs. Amr Gamal, Co-Founder and CEO of Octane, commented: 'This funding lets us broaden our acceptance network, expand AI-powered fraud-detection and route-optimization features, and stay ahead of the shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility, without adding complexity for our customers.' Established in September 2022, Octane has built Egypt's largest fleet-payment coverage, currently spanning 2,400 petrol stations and 400 CNG outlets nationwide. Laila Hassan, General Partner at Algebra Ventures, indicated: 'In a market where billions leak through inefficiencies and fraud, Octane brings real accountability and control to fleet operators. Their vision extends far beyond fuel, laying the rails for B2B transactions across Egypt's logistics and mobility sectors.' All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
CairoScene
17-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Octane Raises $5.2 Million to Expand Fleet Payments Platform in MENA
Octane Raises $5.2 Million to Expand Fleet Payments Platform in MENA Egyptian fleet-expense startup Octane has raised $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq Partners, Algebra Ventures and SC Holding to grow its operations in Egypt and the wider MENA region. Octane, an Egypt-based digital platform for managing fleet and on-road expenses, has secured $5.2 million in a funding round led by Shorooq, Algebra Ventures and SC Holding. Founded in September 2022, Octane offers a closed-loop digital wallet that consolidates fuel, maintenance, spare parts, and petty cash payments into a single platform. The solution provides fleet operators with real-time control and analytics, helping reduce avoidable fuel and mileage costs by double-digit percentages. It currently supports diesel, petrol and CNG payments, with EV charging capabilities being piloted. Since its launch, Octane has built the largest fleet-payment network in Egypt, with coverage across 2,400 petrol stations and 400 CNG outlets nationwide. Over 1,600 corporate clients, representing a combined fleet of around 250,000 vehicles, use the platform to manage on-road expenses. The startup now employs 200 staff members and was recently recognised with an EEA Award for Rising Entrepreneurs of the Year. "At Octane, we're focused on giving fleets the rails they need to manage day-to-day payments with precision,' said Amr Gamal, Co-Founder and CEO of Octane. 'This funding lets us broaden our acceptance network, expand AI-powered fraud-detection and route-optimisation features, and stay ahead of the shift toward cleaner, more efficient mobility, without adding complexity for our customers.' Octane enters a global market that is seeing increased demand for integrated fleet-expense solutions. While established players like Corpay and WEX have demonstrated the viability of consolidated payment models, newer fintechs such as Coast and Fleetio are driving digital-first adoption. Octane aims to bring this model to Egypt and the region, integrating local tax and compliance needs with advanced automation and insight tools.
